MILLIONS of pounds worth of contracts are being made available to local companies for the proposed building of a new University Technical College (UTC) at the Silverstone racing circuit.
A planning application for the £10million UTC has been lodged with South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and, if it gets the go-ahead, is set to open its doors to hundreds of students aged 14-19 in September 2013.
Councillor Rupert Fordham, economic development supremo at SNC told a business breakfast meeting at Silverstone’s Wing development on Wednesday (September 26) he supports Silverstone getting planning approval to “continue its success.”
He added: “The UTC is a step change in education in the district.” Paid for by the government, the sound-proofed racing circuit college will specialise in high performance engineering and events management.
The construction part of the three-storey project is around £8million and Leicester-based construction giant Interserve is targeting 50 per cent of orders to be placed ‘locally’.
Interserve’s proposals manager Kevin Lee said locally means there must be a connection with South Northamptonshire.
Projects up for grabs range from £5,000 to £2million and Interserve will be holding a meet-the-buyer event at the circuit on October 3 for interested companies.
Supporters of the project say it will provide a huge boost to the local economy as well helping to cement the region’s reputation as the centre of motorsport in the UK.
Robert Emery, director of partnerships and higher education at project partner Tresham College invited businesses to join in the project.
“If this is going to work it has got to work as a partnership. What’s in it for you is that it gives you the change to talent spot. But we all need to put our shoulders to the wheel.”
The Silverstone UTC, backed by partners Tresham College, the University of Northampton and Silverstone, will eventually have 576 students in two year groups working 40 weeks a year and with extended days.
Students will be drawn from a travel-to-school area of about one hour from the UTC.
South Northants MP, Andrea Leadsom said she expected the UTC would be a “huge success” and become “the flagship UTC for the entire country.”
For more information visit www.utc-silverstone.co.uk and companies interested in contract opportunities should contact Interserve on 0116 269 1700 or email leicester.construction@interserve.com
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