A STATE-OF-THE-ART college to be developed in Berkeley has been given approval in a series of developments that "can't fail to revitalise the area."

On Wednesday, March 11, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and the University of Gloucestershire were given the go-ahead by the Department of Education to create a University Technical College on the Berkeley Green site.

The college will specialize in digital technologies and advanced manufacturing for 14 to 18 year olds and will open its doors in September 2016.

Stroud District and Town Councillor for Berkeley Liz Ashton is thrilled with the latest news of developments at Berkeley's nuclear labs.

She said: "What a coup for Berkeley: first the GREEN college now the University Technical College, all on our doorstep.

"These developments can't fail to revitalise the area providing jobs and a boost for the local economy.

"It's fantastic news for all the young people in our area who have ambitions to work in digital technologies and advanced manufacturing. Employers are desperate for staff who have these skills so the future for UTC students is very bright indeed."

The application to open a UTC in the county was initiated by the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, GFIRST.

Chief executive for GFIRST David Owen said: “It is vitally important for the future of the economy that the specialist skills required for our engineering and technical businesses are available in the county.

“The UTC will be developing the next generation of talent, supporting future workplace requirements, the growth of our existing businesses and our inward investment for the county.”

Designed with employment in mind, the new University Technical College’s learning provision will provide a wide range of vocational placements, projects and experiences which will prepare students for careers in a number of sectors.

The UTC has received support from local employers and partners who have agreed to supply technical support, live projects and mentors to students.

Principal and CEO of main sponsor SGS Kevin Hamblin said: “I was delighted to be asked by the GFIRST Local Enterprise Partnership to consider sponsoring a University Technical College to meet the needs of employers within the region who are seeing huge recruitment difficulties, especially in the areas of advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.

“Both of these areas are huge employment sectors for Gloucestershire. A University Technical College focused on these two areas enables capital and investment to be focused on the best possible learning resources for young people who wish to pursue a career in these areas.”

To coincide with the launch of the SGS UTC, a competition open to local secondary and primary schools will be unveiled shortly enabling pupils to get involved with the design of the new UTC utilising the popular on-line game Minecraft.

To keep in touch with developments at the UTC, follow them on twitter at @sgsutc or via facebook at www.facebook.com/sgsutc.