Swindon’s recently-opened University Technical College (UTC) is to be officially opened by The Duke of York next Thursday.
His Royal Highness will meet UTC Swindon students, directors, teachers and business partners before unveiling a commemorative plaque to officially open the college.
The event will be attended by directors from UTC sponsors Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University.
UTC Swindon principal Angela Barker-Dench will show the Duke around the college site. He will see the stunning architecture and high quality build provided by Scott Brownrigg and BAM respectively. He’ll visit labs and engineering workshops designed especially for the UTC Swindon curriculum.
The Duke visited the UTC in February when was still under construction.
Angela Barker-Dench said: “The official opening of the college is an historic moment for UTC Swindon – and another milestone in the town’s heritage. His Royal Highness has a passion for engineering, manufacturing and apprenticeships. He shares our beliefs about skills and preparing students for the workplace or University.”
As patron of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the Duke encourages parents, businesses and others to help young people develop. He supports enterprise-focused education and helps providers promote their opportunities.
UTC Swindon is based in a new, £10m state-of-the-art facility, with the Old School Building and the iconic water tower featuring prominently. Both structures, which are Grade II listed, have been treated sympathetically, with the water tower being restored and brought back into educational use.
Pictured: HRH the Duke of York visiting the UTC site earlier this year
