Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson has asked the government about a debate in parliament on expanding UTC provision.

Speaking in the House of Commons on 24 April, Atkinson told the Leader of the House Sir Alan Campbell MP: “The 14 to 18-year-olds who study at University Technical Colleges are three or four times more likely than the national average to secure an apprenticeship. The UTC in Derby is oversubscribed — it got 450 applications for just 100 places — and demand outstrips the number of places in other UTCs too.

She asked Campbell: “Many of our industries are concerned about skills shortages, so might we have a debate on how to expand UTC provision, or enable UTCs to team up with other schools, so that more young people can benefit from the skills that UTCs teach and from those strong routes into apprenticeships?”

Sir Alan responded: “My hon. friend raises an important matter. We recently announced 19 new technical excellence colleges in England, on top of the 10 confirmed for the construction sector last year. We are expanding the youth guarantee to create further opportunities for young people.

“However, as she points out, we need to go further and we are committed to doing so. I encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate to explore how we can expand the opportunity to study at University Technical Colleges. That is, as she points out, so important for our young people and local communities.”

Atkinson had earlier spoken up for UTC Derby Pride Park during a parliamentary debate on productivity and economic growth in the East Midlands on 17 March.

“UTC Derby Pride Park has specialisms in engineering and life sciences and saw 450 applicants for just 100 places,” Atkinson told fellow MPs.

“If we are going to deliver what we need, to deliver what Team Derby foresees – in good jobs, regeneration, and skills – we need to ensure we are investing in our future.”

UTC Derby Pride Park’s own MP Baggy Shanker spoke during the debate on supporting local job creation. He chairs the UTC MP Technical Education Policy Group, of which Atkinson is also a key member.

Our thanks to both Catherine Atkinson MP and Baggy Shanker MP for promoting UTCs and the importance of investing in jobs and skills.