UTC South Durham celebrated winning their first accolade of ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the Aycliffe Business Park annual Make Your Mark Awards dinner, hosted by the Xcel Centre on the 1st March 2017. The annual business awards celebrates the collective achievements of companies on Aycliffe Business Park. UTC South Durham is the first University Technical College in the North East. UTC’s are state funded technical schools that give students the unique opportunity to innovate and invent. Studying at the UTC provides young people with the opportunity to gain both an academic and technical education in an inspiring learning environment. UTC students work closely with employers to enable them to be qualified to work in sectors that are looking for skilled staff. The UTC South Durham specialises in advanced manufacturing and engineering, sectors that are vital to the economy of the region.
The location of the UTC is an unusual one but done deliberately to reflect the specialism of the technical college placing it next to some of the most advanced manufacturing and engineering facilities in the country. Having these opportunities so close to the students means that they can access the best ‘real world’ experiences on their doorstep. Tom Dower, Principal of the UTC (pictured) said ‘It is a privilege to be neighbours with such a large variety of businesses at Aycliffe that have reached out to the UTC to join us on our journey. We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award only 22 weeks after opening our doors to our students. We have had many visits recently from both government and UTC officials, they have expressed that we are one of the best UTC’s UK wide when it comes to business engagement. It really is our business support that has helped us to thrive. I will be at my happiest when I can attend these events three years from now and see our former students working for our industry partners, winning these awards themselves.’ Having three founding members, Hitachi Rail Europe, Gestamp Tallent and the University of Sunderland and other industry partners provides strong links to support the UTC and its students.
The Make Your Mark 2016 winners are as follows:
Apprentice of the Year: Ben Thubron – Baltic Training
Apprenticeship of the Year: Hitachi Rail Europe
Company of the Year: PWS
Employer of the Year Award: Arlington Automotive
Engineering & Manufacturing Award: Premo Fabrications
Export Award: Primex Plastics
Heart of the Community Award: DISC
Innovation Award: Stiller Warehousing & Distribution
Newcomer of the Year Award: UTC South Durham
Service Business of the Year Award: Trident Manor Ltd
Small Business of the Year Award: Beaumont Grounds Maintenance
