School,
but different
The UTC Futures Programme is our unique UTC Employer Enagement offer and only available at the UTC students. This programme gives our students high career aspirations through extensive employer engagement including through real life employer projects, work placements and employer visits.
Our careers curriculum helps develop well-rounded, career-focused citizens ready for the world of work. You will have weekly lessons focusing on career research, successful job applications, communication skills, informed decision-making, and mock interviews with employer partners.
Our Projects offer real-world challenges preparing you for the world of work. Projects include the NHS Digital Health Project, the BIMA Digital Marketing Project and Cyber First Projects,
You will understand workplace expectations and essential skills by taking part in your weekly project sessions and you can develop your projects further in after school sessions.
We believe in learning by doing, so you will collaborate with employers on projects that develop crucial technical and professional skills for success for your Digital and Health Science careers.
The UTC Futures Programme weekly Technical lessons will develop your essential technical skills, preparing you for your future career in digital and health science.
You will:
As part of the UTC Futures Programme you will receive the highest quality work placements for your work experience.
In Year 10, you'll complete a fantastic one-week placement, giving you an early taste of the professional world and helping you discover your passions. Then, in Year 12, you will undertake an in-depth, two-week placement where you'll hone your practical skills and deepen your understanding of the world of work.
We coordinate placements with top local employers, ensuring you get high-quality, relevant experiences that will engage and inspire you.
The UTC Futures Programme offers you comprehensive support for future pathways after you have finished your time at the UTC. Students receive impartial and one-to-one careers advice on your future destination choices such as apprenticeships, and university.
Regular careers fairs and employer interactions will provide you with inspiration and guidance about the local job market, and will develop your communication, professionalism and resilience.
To complement academic and technical learning, we will offer you a rich variety of extracurricular activities that nurture your creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Sessions include:
There will be a range of different clubs offered throughout the year.
The UTC Futures Programme prepares you for successful careers and lives by offering you an extensive range of offsite trips such as University visits to offer you insights into higher education, Local employer visits to provide inspiration and even international trips to Disneyland Paris and residential trips at the Weardale Adventure Centre.
All UTC students are expected to achieve the Baker Award. The Baker Award is a new certification that recognises and celebrates vital elements of technical education offered by UTCs, which prepare young people with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to be successful in the world of work.
Students achieving the Baker Award demonstrate high levels of employability.
The award demonstrates to employers that the applicant is ready for work and will quickly become an asset to their workforce. More and more employers are recognising the high value of the skills that are needed for you to achieve the Baker Award
