Plan for £1.7m vocational centre awaits approval
Westmorland and Furness CouncilPlans for a new £1.7m technical education centre are awaiting approval next month.
Team Barrow, an organisation which aims to transform Barrow, is working with Walney School and the Baker Dearing Educational Trust to develop a programme focusing on more vocational paths for young people.
Chair of Team Barrow Lord Simon Case said the expansion of high-quality technical and vocational education in Barrow would deliver sustainable economic growth and improved opportunities.
Westmorland and Furness Council's cabinet was set to make a decision about the project in July.
Mirror the workplace
Lord Case said: "By expanding access to high-quality technical and vocational education in Barrow, it will strengthen pathways into further education, apprenticeships and skilled employment, helping Barrow's young people to thrive."
The pathway is due to be introduced from September and two specialist programmes - engineering and healthcare - have been developed in close collaboration with employers.
Students will be taught using industry-relevant equipment and in environments designed to mirror the workplace, ensuring that their learning is practical, engaging and directly aligned to real-world careers, Team Barrow said.
The centre aims to build on the success of England's 44 University Technical Colleges, where students are significantly more likely to progress into apprenticeships than those in mainstream education.
Chief Executive of the Furness Education Trust Simon Laheney said: "Furness Education Trust is incredibly proud to be introducing the University Technical College Sleeve at Walney School.
"This initiative represents a major step forward for school-based technical education in Barrow and directly supports the ambitions we all share for our young people and our wider community."
