Proposals for an Engineering Academy, Sponsored by Aston University, Announced

September 4 2009

Plans for a new Engineering Academy based in Birmingham to fill a skills gap and deliver the workforce needed to power an engineering renaissance have been unveiled.

The proposed multi-million pound Academy, sponsored by Aston University, will be the first university-led technology college in the country and is being created in partnership with Birmingham City Council.

Called the Aston University Engineering Academy, Birmingham, the facility would be based at the Aston Science Park, adjacent to Aston University, and cater for 600 pupils aged between 14 and 19 years old.

A new trust originally formed by former Conservative Education Secretary Kenneth Baker and education specialist Lord Dearing, now deceased, was set up to push forward the Academy concept with the Birmingham centre used as a role model for the rest of the country. The intended opening date for the Academy is September 2012

Council leader Cllr Mike Whitby said: "The proposed Academy will be an imaginative, innovative and dynamic part of Birmingham's educational landscape.
The unique focus on engineering and manufacturing with a strong emphasis on business enterprise will provide clear routes to further study and careers in an area where there is recognised skills shortage both locally and nationally."

The new proposed Academy will be the eighth proposed under the Birmingham Academies programme and one of two new build specialist centres. The other is the Birmingham Ormiston Academy - Digital Media, Creative and Performing Arts, focused on preparing youngsters from the West Midlands for careers in the creative industries.

The Aston University Engineering Academy Birmingham will develop strong links between local and national industry to ensure it is employer-led.
Aston University will also be involved in developing the curriculum of the proposed Academy, which will be non-selective and aim to encourage more girls into engineering.

Pro Vice Chancellor at Aston, Prof Alison Halstead, said: "This is an inspiring proposal and I am delighted that Aston University is a lead sponsor.
The proposed Academy can play a key role in addressing the region's skills gap and ensuring that together we can foster a passion and enthusiasm for engineering that will enable us to produce a new generation of innovated and talented engineers."

The proposed Academy will play a crucial role in delivering skills under the Government's new 14 to 19 diplomas which are being rolled out over the next five years.

Lord Kenneth Baker, who introduced the National Curriculum and City Technology Colleges (the predecessor to Academies) said: "We congratulate Aston University and Birmingham City Council in being the first to establish a new type of vocational college for 14-19 year olds.
"We put forward out initiative for University Technical Colleges first to Birmingham because the City had a great industrial history, excellent universities, and a strong commitment to an industrial future."

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