Watford UTC to open this September

The location for Watford’s UTC has now been unveiled, as contracts were signed and completed yesterday. The UTC will move into premises at Sanyo House on Colonial Way in Watford, and will open its doors to students this September. Architects have drawn up plans which include new parking bays and cycle stands for improved access, as well as soft landscaping and new trees to be installed at the front of the building. The plans also show how the courses will be brought to life within the UTC setting, with areas designated for Robotics Projects, a Cyber Cafe, and also a mocked up travel agency. This is because the UTC offers specialised vocational learning alongside core subjects. Students as well as studying subjects such as Maths and English, will be able to study event management, hotels and tourism, and computer science. The University of Hertfordshire are sponsoring the UTC to ensure that the new courses are educationally strong, and are also opening their doors to allow UTC students to use their facilities and also have access to the companies they offer work placements with. Richard Harrington MP, who has been working with the Meller Educational Trust and the Department of Education to secure the Watford UTC, has added: “This is a great opportunity for local students to learn skills that employers really need and value, whilst they work towards their GCSE’s or other core qualifications.” An information event will be held at The Grove from 6pm on April 24, 2014.