Scarborough UTC Launches Health Specialism

A new partnership to help try and tackle a shortage of health care workers on the Yorkshire Coast is launching today as Scarborough UTC launches it's new health pathway.

The initiative will see the college working with the local NHS and CU Scarborough to provide students from the age of 14 with health sector skills.

UTC Principal Lee Kilgour says the health pathway will provide the local area with a real opportunity to develop it's own talent.

Lee Kilgour says the idea is to prepare the next generation of doctors, paramedics and health care professionals.

The pathway will cover subjects such as nursing, midwifery, healthcare science, occupational therapy, speech and language, adult social care and childcare.

It will open the door to greater knowledge about careers in health and social care, medicine and as a starting point for paramedics, optometrists, physiotherapists, dental hygienists, radiographers, pharmacists and operating department practitioners who want to progress to apprentice, diploma or degree levels.

UTC principal Lee Kilgour added :

“The fantastic new courses are a great fit with our vision for technical excellence in our brilliant cyber, engineering and digital media curriculum,” said

“They will reinforce our reputation for the creation of highly-employable students with good communication and interpersonal skills who are given the chance for quality work experience with top employers.”

“We are delighted to be working with York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Coventry University (Scarborough site). They are two perfect partners for the new health courses – ensuring the best possible support and experience for students.”

The health trust operates hospitals in Scarborough, Whitby, Malton and Bridlington, and the CUS campus is based next door to the UTC. CUS already provides a degree-level course in Health and Social Care. Both organisations will provide workshops and visits.

Mr Kilgour said:

“The new UTC Health Pathway courses are a great opportunity to know more about work in the care professions.

“If you want to learn how to be a good communicator, you like working with or helping people, make Scarborough UTC your choice for a career in health.

“An excellent range of jobs and salaries exist in the sector, with a large number of vacancies in the sector. There are excellent career opportunities, and we have better class sizes and a very personalised approach.

“The courses will help the recruitment challenges for the local health sector thanks to a combination of classroom and practical learning.

“Our students will receive outstanding experience to help them to keep their options open.”

Enrolment is already open for students aged 14 to 18 from Scarborough, Whitby, Bridlington, Driffield and Ryedale. There are subsidised bus services for students travelling more than three miles away.

Students can now apply to join in years 10 and 12 in September to study on the new UTC Health pathway. The First Award is for 14-16 year-olds and BTEC National for the UTC Sixth Form. Qualifications in sociology and health and social are part of the curriculum.

The first course starts in September and there will also be a further course running early next year.

The course will be run by experienced professionals from health sector backgrounds.

Helen Hey, the deputy chief nurse for the health trust which is the area’s biggest employer, said:

“We are delighted to support young people in this way.

“We will be working in close partnership with the UTC to provide the best possible experience of working in a hospital. It’s really exciting.”

Claire Barwick, Head of Curriculum for Health, Education and Nursing at CUS, said:

“We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with the UTC to develop the new health science pathway.”

The UTC is based at Ashburn Road on route to the Everyone Active sports centre and is for 14-18 year-olds. It covers the main subjects as an ordinary school but specialises in cyber technology, engineering and now health.

It is supported by some the area’s biggest names including GCHQ, McCain Foods, engineers UNISON, Anglo-American, Plaxton, Flamingo Land and the York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The new pathway will be launched in an online presentation at 6pm on Wednesday April 21 which is open to everyone.

Booking is through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scarborough-utc-health-pathway-launch-event-tickets-145444972829