Parents and young people can find out more about a new technical academy opening in Nottingham, at a series of fortnightly community events.
The Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology (NUAST) for 14 to 19-year-olds will offer GCSEs and A Levels alongside technical courses. Places are available from September 2014. Applications are being accepted now. Go to www.nuast.org
The £10 million academy on Abbey Street, is being built on the site of the former Dunkirk fire station. More than 20 employers are already supporting the curriculum which will specialise in academic qualifications and developing science, technology and engineering skills.
The fortnightly information evenings take place at Dunkirk and Old Lenton Community Centre, Montpelier Road. They start on Wednesday, February 26th from 6pm to 8pm. To book your free place, call Jackie Brown on 0115 9421202 or go to www.nuast.org
Parents and young people will have the chance to learn about the curriculum, speak to employers supporting it, including the information technology specialists XMA, meet NUAST’s Vice Principal and discover the career opportunities that studying at NUAST will lead to.
NUAST is being launched to address skills shortages in the engineering, science and information technology sectors in the East Midlands, and is part of a wider plan to tackle youth unemployment and boost business growth. Employers will influence all aspects of NUAST so that students’ education and training supports regional business needs.
David Turner, Vice Principal, said: “NUAST offers an exciting new way of learning, which is crucial to building Britain’s economy and providing future careers for young people in Nottingham and the East Midlands. We’ve received strong backing from global and local employers keen to ensure that the next generation of young people develop the critical combination of academic and technical qualifications to fill skills gaps and enable business growth.”
Mr Turner is leading on the curriculum development at NUAST. He has 20 years’ experience in the business, education and engineering sectors. He has held senior leadership, curriculum development and teaching positions within further education including at Barnett College, Newcastle College, Brockenhurst College and SEEVIC College in Essex.
He began his career as a civil engineer before moving on to become an exploration engineer with BP in Aberdeen, Australia, Indonesia and Singapore and then a business analyst at BP’s London headquarters. He changed career track in 1985 after discovering a talent for opera singing.
Mr Turner performed professionally with touring companies as a tenor lead in the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Holland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, for 15 years from 1985 to 2000. From 2000, he went onto develop a successful career in further education working for several leading colleges, and in business and management consultancy.
More than 20 global and regional employers are already actively involved in supporting NUAST by helping to shape the curriculum and its content and developing projects within an industry and business context. Key supporters include Toshiba, Rolls Royce, Siemens, Experian, Boots, Greene Tweed, Jacobs, Lindhurst Innovation Engineers, Sharpsmart and SASIE.
Applications are being accepted from young people across a 25 mile catchment area which includes Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, and parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. There are 150 places available at NUAST in the first year from September 2014. In the longer term, student numbers will increase to a maximum of 800 places overall.
Students will study for GCSEs or A Levels as well as a technical qualification. Every student will be known and have a personal learning plan.The dress code will relate to the world of work and business. The attendance hours will be longer to give real-life preparation for work.
NUAST is co-sponsored by Sir Harry Djanogly through the Djanogly Learning Trust, and the University of Nottingham. Its lead employer sponsor is Toshiba.
