WARRINGTON’S University Technical College Trust has announced the appointment of Lee Barber as Principal of the new Warrington University Technical College (UTCW).
Lee comes to UTCW following a highly successful career in education, that includes his recent role as Principal at Warrington’s Studio School where he was responsible for building strong relationships with key stakeholders (including the DfE, Ofsted and Industry) and forging links with employer partners to enable the successful pre-opening and post-opening phase of the school’s development.
Lee’s experience within the educational sector has enabled him to gain considerable skills in management, leadership, innovative curriculum design and team recruitment these skills have enabled him to shape successful education institutions.
When Lee begins his new role as head of UTCW in September 2015 he will be responsible for overseeing the management and development of Warrington’s new cutting edge educational institution that will specialise in engineering and energy when it opens in September 2016 and he has already been working to forge excellent relations with the students ahead of their start at the UTCW in September 2016.
Construction of the new £10 million, 620-place UTCW is due to start in July following the approval in March from parliamentary Under-Secretary, Lord Nash. Located in the heart of Warrington within the Stadium Quarter, UTCW will have excellent access to rail and bus networks. Completion of the build is scheduled for the summer of 2016.
UTCW is sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University and local employers. With support from Warrington Borough Council, UTCW will specialise in energy and engineering and will offer an outstanding opportunity for the young people of Warrington and the wider region to work with major energy and engineering employers based in the town, including Sellafield Ltd, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Tenet Consultants, Nuvia, Atkins, National Nuclear Laboratories and Flamefast.
UTCW will integrate technical, practical and academic learning and create an environment where students can thrive and develop the abilities that industry needs. As international, national, regional and local employers, the industrial sponsors will play a major role, helping to shape the curriculum and relate it to future jobs that match the needs of the local economy. In turn, students will acquire the skills and knowledge that are in demand from employers along with having access to the latest equipment and technology used in industry.
UTCs are a new concept in education, offering a safe, high quality, technically-orientated curriculum for 14-19 year olds in an environment where young people are encouraged to follow their interests and to develop them into engineering-related skills and qualifications. At least 40% of the time students spend at UTCW will be dedicated to the technical specialisms of energy and engineering including design and building, working in teams and problem solving.
UTCW will offer its students clear progression routes into higher education, apprenticeships or full time employment. By working closely with local employers UTCW will offer students, as part of their studies, regular opportunities to connect with local businesses on valuable work experience projects.
Speaking about his appointment Lee Barber said: “My passion throughout my career has always been to work with young people and to encourage them to become career-ready. In my new role at UTCW I’m very much looking forward to working with the students, partners and stakeholders to create a first class educational institution for Warrington.”
Chair of the UTCW Project Steering Group Aidan McManus from Tenet Consultants commented: “By appointing Lee as Principal we believe we have found someone with exceptional experience in the education sector who will lead the recruitment of the first tranche of students to the college ready for its opening in September 2016.
“We have no doubt that someone of Lee’s calibre will encourage and inspire young people considering a career in engineering and help lead them to realise their ambitions.”
The UTC will be a key component in the regeneration and renaissance of Warrington’s town centre. The facility will be situated at the heart of Warrington’s ambitious Stadium Quarter regeneration project; a £190 million mixed use development comprising educational, office, leisure and residential uses.
