Baker Dearing advances and informs high-quality, employer-led technical education and supports its delivery through England’s 44-strong programme of University Technical Colleges.
We believe that first-class technical pathways, combined with a core academic offer, designed with employers opens up more opportunities for young people in their careers. We have seen the benefit to young people of starting this earlier than 16 years of age.
Baker Dearing works with UTCs, major employers, political leaders from all sides, and the wider education sector to deliver the best outcomes for young people.
Problem
Employers are struggling with shortages of skilled staff and to seize the opportunities of emerging technologies in, for example, the green and digital sectors.
Political and social challenges have reduced industry’s access to homegrown talent, driving up inflation and suppressing economic growth.
Access to technical education is declining.
The number of students sitting the design and technology GCSE has plummeted by almost three-quarters since 2010, due to associated costs and the English Baccalaureate system discouraging schools from delivering technical subjects. Yet such subjects give young people an essential grounding in the skills they will need for higher technical learning including apprenticeships.
Young people are not being prepared for work
Fewer than one in five schools and colleges meet all eight Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance.
To ensure students are acquiring the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to progress onto higher technical learning and then to fill shortages in key industries, access to high-quality, employer-led technical education must be widened. Schools must also engage employers in the design and delivery of curricula.
Solution
Baker Dearing is working with employers, universities, ministers, and schools to provide more young people with access to a high-quality, employer-led education,which will drive economic growth and address key shortages.
UTCs specialise in…
Each UTC’s industry specialism is based on local business need and its curriculum is designed in collaboration with local employers.
Baker Dearing supports UTCs with:
Baker Dearing founded the UTC programme and our relationships with employers, politicians, universities, and third-sector organisations have expanded its reach.
Our work has increased the public profile of technical education, enabled the successful delivery of technical education including the new T Level qualifications, and improved life opportunities for young people.
44
University Technical Colleges are
educating c. 20,000 students nationwide
Over 50,000
students’ lives have been materially improved
by a UTC education
400
employers and universities are supporting UTCs across England
c.25%