A right Royal seal of approval
The SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College got the royal seal of approval with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal. AfterbeinggreetedbyLord-LieutenantofGloucestershire, Edward Gillespie, the Princess Royal toured the facilities before formally opening the new campus. She spent time speaking with students about their career ambitions and the curriculum, before a plaque unveiling with a difference. Well used to pulling a rope to open a velvet curtain, the Princess Royal was able to utilise some of pupil’s handiwork and let technology take the strain. A system of electronic switches and air pistons was triggered to open the curtain with the handiwork done by the school’s level three engineering students. SGS group chief executive Kevin Hamblin said: "The first two years at SGS Berkeley Green UTC have been an amazing journey, seeing our young people engage with employers and new technologies as they prepare for their qualifications and the next step of their journey into their future careers. “It was an honour to host HRH The Princess Royal and ask her to officially open the UTC. Her kind words in support of the work we are doing, especially in trying to engage more young women into engineering, really emphasised the value of our activities." The UTC, which is backed by employers and universities, was set up to ensure young people have the skills employers need in science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM). The state-of-the-art facilitiy is now home to 300 14-18-year-old students who study core subjects of English, maths and science but spend a large proportion of their time studying engineering, cyber and digital. The UTC is also keen to break the stereotype that science, technology, engineering and maths careers are
more suited to boys. The past year has seen a rise in the number of girls enrolled of 11 per cent – mirroring a similar growth in industry, with the college expecting an increase to 18 per cent next year. Assistant principal at Berkeley Green, Andy Keenan, is an ex-RAF engineer, who believes that his young female engineering students can help fill the skills gap. “We have a massive skills gap in engineering, and we need to encourage more young women to consider engineering as a valid career path,” he said. “Our students progress onto university degrees and into high quality apprenticeships in all sorts of sectors, such as aerospace or civil engineering, filling roles such as design or manufacture. “Engineering is such a diverse and enjoyable career that there is always another interesting challenge waiting for you around the corner." Open events for the new campus are scheduled throughout 2019, with the next taking place Thursday, March 28 between 5-8pm l For details, visit: berkeleygreenutc.org.uk/events.
Learners can also apply by visiting: berkeleygreenutc.org.uk/apply
Assistant Principal Andy Keenan and HRH The Princess Royal.
February 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 79
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