University technical colleges (UTCs) are outperforming schools when it comes to securing high-level apprenticeships for young people, according to new research released today by the Baker Dearing Educational Trust.

It reveals that over the past three years, a quarter of year 13 students from UTCs went on to start apprenticeships. The majority of apprenticeships were science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) related, according to the trust.

Last year, 37 per cent of those apprenticeships were at a higher or degree level - far higher than the six per cent average for students aged 19 or older. UTC students have gone to companies such as Formula 1 team Williams, Unilever, JCB and Cisco.

UTC curriculum

Former education secretary and founder of UTCs Lord Baker - who chairs the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, founded to develop and promote the concept of university technical colleges - said: “University technical colleges are delivering the highest percentage of apprenticeship destinations amongst key stage 5 leavers.”

He added: “Students at UTCs know more about apprenticeships than most teenagers because of their unique curriculum that combines technical and academic education. UTC students are interacting with employers all the time so they have a clearer understanding of the routes they can take to the careers they are interested in.”

Captain David Joyce, who leads the Royal Navy’s affiliation programme with UTCs, said: “UTC students stand out and are particularly desirable to employers because their education has given them a technical grounding and practical experience. These qualities mean they have a head start when they join us - and in some cases, it can accelerate training time.”

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