The Liberal Democrats‘ education spokesperson Munira Wilson MP praised University Technical Colleges during a parliamentary debate on the role of careers education in improving social mobility on Thursday 19 June.

Watch Munira Wilson MP’s remarks in the clip above.

Wilson, who visited UTC South Durham a couple of years ago, told fellow MPs: “UTCs are different from mainstream schools and colleges because they focus on vocational skills.

“I was blown away by the partnership that that UTC— I know this is also true for other UTCs across the country — has developed with local major employers to provide meaningful experiences for the young people it is working with.

“For example, its careers guidance people accompany young people to meetings and events with employers. Clearly, schools do not have the capacity and resources to do that kind of intensive careers guidance, but there is a lot for mainstream schools to learn from UTCs.”

Our thanks to Munira Wilson MP for her support. UTCs enjoy widespread cross-party support from members of both the Commons and Lords, who appreciate the high-quality, employer-led technical education provided by UTCs, which sets up young people for successful destinations such as apprenticeships and STEM university courses.