Parents of UTC students confident in their children’s job prospects 

New research from the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the charity that promotes University Technical Colleges (UTCs), reveals that parents who have children studying at UTCs feel more positive about their children’s prospects. Three quarters (70%) said the UTC has made their child more confident in getting a job.

85% of parents believed the UTC was preparing their child for the world of work. This figure dropped to just 68% when the same question was asked of parents with children at mainstream schools. Added to this, three quarters (75.86%) of UTC parents believed their child knew what industry they want to work in compared with just half (53.8%) of parents with children in mainstream schools.

The survey also shows that for two thirds (66%) of parents their biggest fear is that their child will not find a job when they leave education. Nearly half (48.1%) of parents said they felt stressed about their child's education and 80% of parents believed the education system needed to change to reflect 21^st century working Britain.

The Baker Dearing Educational Trust surveyed over 1000 parents with teenagers at mainstream schools and, in a separate survey, 450 parents whose children attend UTCs.

UTC Swindon Principal, Angela Barker-Dench, commented:

“When the idea to launch a UTC in Swindon was introduced, one of the main goals we wanted to achieve was to get the towns young people work ready. Looking at these stats from the Baker Dearing Educational Trust it proves that we are very much on the right track. In any educational institution it is essential to have the backing and support of the parents to allow the students to flourish. To accomplish this they must be confident that the service we are providing is to the highest standard possible.”   

The research showed that parents recognised the need for a more balanced education approach with three quarters (74.9%) saying their children should have the option of a combined technical and academic education at 14.

Nearlytwo thirds (64%) of mainstream school parents said they wanted a greater variety of choice in the type of school for their child and 69% said they wanted the option to select a technical education if it reflected their child’s talents.

But parents are confused about the options available to children. Although more than half (55.30%) of parents with children in mainstream schools felt well informed about academies, only two in five parents (41%) felt informed about University Technical Colleges. However, when UTCs were explained to them 86% of parents said they might consider a UTCfor their child if there was one available in their area.

Lord Baker, Chairman of Baker Dearing Educational Trust, said:

“These findings highlight the importance parents place on their children’s education and whether it gives them the qualifications and experience they need to secure a job. Although it’s early days, UTCs are playing an important role to ensure children get the education they need for the 21^st century workplace. This is valued a great deal by parents and I’m delighted that so many would consider a UTC education for their children.”

Paul Inman, Chair of Governors at UTC Swindon and Pro Vice Chancellor at Oxford Brookes University, commented:

“From speaking with parents, we’re already well aware of the value that is placed on children securing good employment after they leave education. Given its strong links with a wide range of industry partners, students at UTC Swindon are extremely well placed in this regard. Learning is achieved through employer set projects which tackle real industry issues. This helps to ensure that those studying at UTC Swindon are going out into the world with experience and expertise which is particularly attractive to employers.”

To find about more about UTC Swindon, visit their open evening on Wednesday 21 October from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. The open evening will allow potential students to take a guided tour around UTC Swindon’s £10 million state-of-the-art Bristol Street site. On the tour, they’ll see light-filled workshops and classrooms that reflect the workplace, the College’s lecture theatre and a hub area where students can generate ideas, socialise and inspire others.

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About the research

The research for the Baker Dearing Educational Trust was carried out online by OnePoll between 13 / 08 / 2015 and 01 / 9 / 2015 amongst a panel resulting in 1,000 parents of children aged 14-18 in state school education.

An additional survey was completed by 450 parents of children aged between 14-18 studying at a UTC. The survey was completed throughout July and August 2015.

About Baker Dearing Educational Trust

Baker Dearing Educational Trust was founded by Lord Baker and Lord Dearing to promote the concept of university technical colleges. It is a small, flexible organisation that sits at the centre of the UTC network and focuses on promoting and supporting new and existing UTCs.

About UTC Swindon

Open since September 2014, UTC Swindon caters for 600 students aged 14 to 19. The college provides GCSE and A levels, BTEC qualifications in Engineering and IT are available for young people to study alongside both GCCE’s and A levels. Students in UTC Swindon’s 6th form can obtain the equivalent of 5 A levels which are accepted by universities. As well as qualifications students at the college gain skills demanded in all sectors of the engineering and business, so alongside good work placements should support a successful career.

As part of the original Great Western Rail works, the UTC Swindon site creates a link between the engineering history and the engineering and computing future of the local area, with the Old School Building and the iconic Water Tower featuring prominently. Both structures, which are Grade II listed, were treated sympathetically, with the Water Tower being restored and brought back into educational use.

UTC Swindon is run by a trust sponsored by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University. There are over 90 different industry partners involved with the University Technical College.