UTC Swindon gifted the use of a BMW ActiveE thanks to international leasing company Arval
UTC Swindon, the University Technical College, due to open its doors in September 2014, has teamed up with leading UK contract hire and fleet management provider, Arval, to use the first electric car produced by BMW as part of its summer marketing campaign.
Ambassadors, showing their support for UTC Swindon, will be touring the college catchment area with the event team in the innovative BMW ActiveE, promoting the new college for which students can register their interest today by calling 07990 601 516 or by visiting www.utcswindon.co.uk.
The BMW ActiveE, leased by Arval, is one of just 1,000 of its type manufactured by the German car company worldwide and is a breakthrough for the engineering industry. It’s not just the first electric BMW vehicle produced in a small production run, it is also the first electric sports coupé which is user-friendly with space and comfort. Part of BMW Group’s field trials for long term electric mobility, the ActiveE will inform the development of future electric BMW’s, including the BMW i3 which is scheduled for late 2013.
The car became well known across theUKlast year when BMW provided thousands of vehicles, many with green technology, for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Dr Gareth Neighbour, who heads up Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for UTC Swindon to showcase its commitment to engineering and enterprise in education. Thanks to Arval, we can share with potential students and their families a wonderful example of cutting edge technology. It will clearly demonstrate the support we are receiving from today’s world leaders in engineering.”
Swindon’s University Technical College will cater for 600 14 to 19 year olds interested in pursuing a career in engineering. For these young people, it will provide a fantastic opportunity to gain highly desirable skills and raise their aspirations in progressing to careers in the engineering industry in all its diverse forms.
Tracey Scarr, CSR Manager for Arval, said “We’re delighted to be able to support the team at UTC Swindon as they begin an exciting journey to bring engineering and enterprise to young people. We work very closely with all of the vehicle manufacturers to gain access to the latest models and technologies. This fantastic car is just one example of engineering excellence which students locally can enjoy.”
UTC Swindon and Arval will be displaying the BMW ActiveE at various events over the coming months including UTC Swindon’s first open evening. The team behind Swindon’s new University Technical College is inviting parents and young people to come along to an evening of information and fact-finding at the STEAM Museum in Kemble Drive on Thursday 11 July 2013 at 6:15 pm to launch the new college which will open in September 2014.
At the open evening at STEAM, staff and directors from the University Technology College will describe this new offer in technical education and how to apply for places. Designs of the state-of-the art buildings will be on display. There will be presentations on details of the curriculum at UTC Swindon and how the courses are linked to the work of local and national engineering employers.
Other events include:
- Cotswold Show
- Saturday 6 July 2013
- STEAM UTC Swindon - Inspiring evening for aspiring engineers
- Thursday 11 July 2013, 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm
- Royal International Air Tattoo
- Saturday 20 July 2013
- Cricklade County Show
- Monday 26 August 2013
- Swindon Railway Festival
- Saturday 14 September 2013
- Wiltshire Game & County Fair
- Saturday 28 September 2013
Other events that UTC Swindon is attending:
- Burbage Summer Fair, Burbage Primary School Field
- Saturday 6 July 2013
- Marlborough Jazz Festival, Marlborough Town Centre
- Saturday 20 July 2013
- Devizes International Street Festival, The Green, Market Place and Town Centre
- Sunday 25 August 2013
- Marlborough Big & Little Mop Fair, Marlborough High Street
- Monday 5 October & Monday 12 October 2013
UTC Swindon will be run by a Trust owned by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University. There are over 30 different industry partners involved including: Arval, BMW UK Manufacturing Ltd, Alcatel-Lucent, Halcrow Group Ltd, Honda of the UK Manufacturing, Intel Corp UK Ltd, Network Rail, Nationwide Building Society and Thames Water.
The planned site for its new £10m state-of-the-art building is in Bristol Street, Swindon – at the heart of the railway village in a location generously supplied by Network Rail, one of the main partners. As well as being within easy walking distance from the train and bus stations, it’s central to the engineering and educational heritage of the area. As part of the original Great Western Rail works, it creates a link between the ‘historic engineering’ and the ‘engineering future’ of the local area.
For more information please visit: www.utcswindon.co.uk
Or call UTC Swindon on: 07990 601 516
Like UTC Swindon on Facebook: www.facebook.com/utcswindon
Follow UTC Swindon on Twitter: @utcswindon
ENDS
For further details, contact redheadPR
Emma De Maio
Email: emma@redheadpr.co.uk
Call: 07921 160134
Background information on UTC Swindon, a new University Technical College
UTC Swindon will be opening its doors for the first time in September 2014 and its vision is to be a college where engineering and innovation can flourish.
It will cater for 600 14 to 19 year olds interested in pursuing a career in engineering. For these young people, it will provide a fantastic opportunity to gain highly desirable skills and raise their aspirations in progressing to careers in the engineering industry in all its diverse forms.
Young people from a wide range of local towns and villages are eligible to apply – including Burford, Calne, Chippenham, Cirencester, Cricklade, Devizes, Fairford, Highworth, Hungerford, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Pewsey, Purton, Swindon and surrounding villages and hamlets.
By providing a high quality technical education from an early age, UTCs nationwide are a vital, active and additional educational choice for young people who will help to fill the UK skills gap. Across the UK, other UTCs are opening, reintroducing the option of a specialist technical education: five are already open, 12 will open in September 2013, 15 next September, including UTC Swindon, with a further 13 in 2015 - bringing the total to 45.
UTC Swindon will be run by a Trust owned by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University. It is a requirement that all UTCs in the country are sponsored by a university. Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells is a leading speciality chemicals company underpinned by science, technology and by its workforce. Johnson Matthey has three divisions worldwide: Environmental Technologies, Precious Metal Products and Fine Chemicals. More information is available at www.matthey.com
Oxford Brookes University is one of the UK’s leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation as well as strong links with business and industry. The university’s Faculty of Technology, Design and Environmentis leading the education planning at UTC Swindon. More information is available at www.brookes.ac.uk
UTC Swindon has chosen its preferred site for its new £10m state-of-the-art building at Bristol Street, Swindon – at the heart of the railway village in a location generously supplied by Network Rail, one of the main partners. As well as being within easy walking distance from the train and bus stations, the Bristol Street site is central to the engineering and educational heritage of the area. As part of the original Great Western Rail works, it creates a link between the ‘historic engineering’ and the ‘engineering future’ of the local area.
BAM Construction has been appointed as building contractor and a planning application has been submitted to the local authority, Swindon Borough Council. Anticipated building work will begin in the autumn of 2013, subject to planning permission and final Government approval.
As parts of the site’s industrial heritage, The Old School Building and the iconic Water Tower will be key features. Both are grade II listed structures and they will be treated sympathetically. If plans are approved, the Water Tower will be restored and brought back into educational use. The overall aim is to create an inspirational and iconic environment.
UTC Swindon will be a vocational setting, preparing young people for the world of work with an industry-based curriculum from 8.30am to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday, finishing at 4.30 pm on Fridays – just like being at work. The aim is for students develop a work ethic, with no ‘homework’ apart from exam revision although of course students will be able to access their learning online outside these hours for independent study
Learning will be achieved through employer set ‘projects’ which will tackle real industry issues. Students will be grouped into learning companies where they will learn to act and behave in teams. These companies will provide pastoral support and will act as a vehicle for enterprise, competition and performance management. Engineering employers will provide project support and work experience.
Alongside engineering, all 14 – 16 year olds will also take core subjects at GCSE and relevant A levels will be on offer at Post-16. There will be a wide range of enrichment activities and physical education.
Already, industry partners are lining up to support UTC Swindon – BMW UK Manufacturing Ltd, Alcatel-Lucent, Halcrow Group Ltd, Honda of the UK Manufacturing, Intel Corp UK Ltd, Network Rail, Nationwide Building Society, and Thames Water are just a few. A link is also being developed with the proposed new Ministry of Defence Technical Support Unit to be based at Lyneham.
No students will miss out on the core curriculum or basic qualifications. For 14–16 year old students (Key Stage 4), technical studies will account for 40% of the curriculum with the other 60% spent on core subjects. Learning will cover aspects of the major disciplines in engineering – chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical. In addition, all students will study a range of GCSEs including mathematics, English and science, with options to do a modern foreign language. For post-16 students (Key Stage 5) technical studies will account for 60% of the curriculum and core studies 40%, with relevant A Levels on offer for progression to university. Excellent careers guidance will be available, particularly for support into higher level engineering courses and employment in the sector.
All students will also have time dedicated to physical education, citizenship, careers education and guidance, and personal, health and social education. Work experience will also be very important as a key part of the curriculum and student experience.
Swindon has been very fortunate to get the go ahead for its UTC. Young people interested in a specialist full time technical education in the surrounding area will have the same opportunities as others where UTCs are opening successfully. And the option will also be available in the south of Wiltshire where a UTC is opening in Salisbury – South Wiltshire UTC, with details on its website: www.wiltshire-utc.co.uk
