More than 140 students from University Technical Colleges (UTCs) across the country have qualified for Gold Duke of York Awards for Technical Education. HRH The Duke of York presented awards to students at a ceremony at St James’s Palace on Wednesday 30th January.
Founded in 2012, The Duke of York Awards recognise the success of students who have pursued highly technical subjects including engineering, health sciences, advanced manufacturing and computer science. It reflects the unique specialist education young people receive at UTCs, institutions that offer academic, technical and practical education.
As well as those receiving Gold awards at St James’s Palace, more than 230 UTC students qualified for Silver and Bronze awards.
Nomination for The Duke of York Award for Technical Education is based on successfully completing a process of work experience placements, academic achievement and development of workplace skills together with a rigorous assessment interview.
Gold and Outstanding Achievement Award winners from 2017, Yassmine Girgis and Francesca Topp were invited to the Palace to share their career progress with HRH and invited guests. After leaving UTC Oxfordshire, Yassmine started a Degree Apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover and Francesca is studying Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.
His Royal Highness The Duke of York said:
“By seeking out University Technical Colleges, you have set yourself apart from others in the education system. Those who make a success of it – as you all have – have a level of self-determination and motivation that means you will move quickly through the ranks in the workplace.”
Charles Parker, CEO, Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the charity that promotes and sustains UTCs said:
“The Duke of York Award for Technical Education provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of UTC students and the importance of their technical education. These young people have had a flying start because they went to a UTC. They are already making a huge contribution to society because of the relevance of their education to the modern economy and their experience of dealing with adults through the employer led projects, which are a key part of a UTC education.”