What is a UTC?
A centre of excellence for technical education
UTCs are a national network of 44 state-funded secondary schools delivering high-quality technical education based on one or more industry specialisms, in collaboration with employers and a university. Students usually start a UTC at age 14, however some UTCs enrol younger students. By recruiting at age 14, UTCs provide a fresh start for many young people who have already begun to consider their futures.
At Key Stage 4, UTCs deliver subjects linked to their industry specialism, alongside the core subjects of English, maths and science. At post-16, students focus on industry specialisms through technical qualifications including A Levels and T Levels. At 18, UTC leavers are more likely to progress onto apprenticeships and university STEM courses than the national average.
Looking for a UTC near you?
Standards
Baker Dearing utilises more than 10 years’ of experience
In the implementation of school-age technical pathways and draws on expertise to ensure students receive high-quality, employer-led technical education.
Community
Sharing best practice
Baker Dearing, through its role as the central body for the UTC programme, enables the sharing of best practice throughout the network. As well as supporting UTCs that have seen success in certain areas to guide others, we also work with external organisations to provide UTCs with a broader range of advice and perspectives.
Examples of those external organisations include education sector training organisations and trade representative bodies.
Influence
Staying at the heart of the debate.
To broaden Baker Dearing’s reach, we maintain strong relationships with policymakers from all sides as well as with external stakeholders in industry, the third sector, and the media.
For example, Baker Dearing’s team organises visits by supportive parties to UTCs, keeps them informed of our plans to help more young people access high-quality technical education, and supports their work in similar endeavours.
