Former Ron Dearing UTC students are in safe hands with apprenticeships at Arco

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Four former Ron Dearing UTC students have hit the ground running in digital apprenticeship roles at the UK’s leading safety company.

Arco, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Major Partners, has recently moved to a state-of-the-art new office in the thriving Fruit Market waterfront area of Hull and is expanding its digital capabilities as the business continues to grow.

Chloe Marshall is working in the Project Management Office (PMO), Ben Maycock and Kai Ingram have taken on digital engineering roles and James Swinbourne has joined Arco’s cyber security team.

From left, apprentices James Swinburne, Chloe Marshall, Ben Maycock and Kai Ingram, with Neil Cavill, Head of Business Improvement at Arco, centre. Picture: Hull News and Pictures. 

 

Apprentice Software Developer Chloe said: “I’ve settled into Arco really well and everyone is so supportive and welcoming. I’ve already learnt so much and I’m glad I’ve joined the company.

The apprentices, all aged 18, will receive guidance from an Arco business mentor as well as first-hand support from former Ron Dearing UTC students who are already working in the business.

The support structure will provide a strong foundation as the apprentices complete Arco’s two-year “Future Experts” programme.

First launched in 2016, the programme has now seen almost 40 apprentices taken on to develop the next generation of talent, cementing Arco’s commitment to the city and its significant investment plan to support the growth of its business.

Neil Cavill, Head of Business Improvement at Arco and a Governor at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re delighted that Chloe, Ben, Kai and James have joined us and chosen Arco to start their careers.

“It’s clear that the skills and experience they’ve gained at Ron Dearing will stand them in good stead as they begin working life with us. We’re looking forward to seeing them grow and develop over the coming years.”

Leading entrepreneur and adventurer praises Ron Dearing UTC students following inspirational talk

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A prominent entrepreneur, adventurer and speaker who led the iconic Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW brands has praised Ron Dearing UTC students for their interest and enthusiasm.

Kevin Gaskell was recognised as one of the UK’s top 40 leaders after driving the turnaround at industry giants Porsche and leading five years of record growth at BMW.

He left to set up his first internationally successful technology business and has subsequently built or transformed 15 companies, now acting as chairman to a number of growing businesses.

Kevin visited Ron Dearing UTC to meet students in all year groups to speak about his journey to the top and share his latest venture. Smarter Britain is an organisation he established with his son, Matt, which aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and provide practical advice about how to start a successful business.

It follows a similar approach to an organisation Kevin was involved with in South Africa which helped to create more than 3,000 new businesses. The target for Smarter Britain is to build 1,000 new businesses in 1,000 days in Britain.

Kevin Gaskell speaks to Ron Dearing UTC students.

 

As well as being hugely successful in the business world, Kevin and Matt are keen adventurers, having completed walks to both the North and South Poles and climbed some of the world’s highest mountains to raise money for cancer research.

They were also part of the five-person crew that recently set a new world record for the fastest ever row across the Atlantic Ocean, which they completed to raise funds to fight plastics in the oceans.

Kevin said: “I speak in a lot of schools and Ron Dearing UTC was a luxury. The students were great, interested, enthusiastic and asked intelligent questions, and everything was so organised.

“The team that Principal, Sarah Pashley, has around her is extraordinary compared with any school I’ve ever been in before. The focus is on actually delivering results and results don’t necessarily mean 10 A* grades at GCSE, but giving students the tools to be successful in whatever that means for them.

“Since the talk, via the teachers, I’ve had emails from students following up and asking for advice, which I will do my best to help them with –  even some of the students’ siblings want to get involved in Smarter Britain.

“This includes involving young people with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). I wanted to plant the seed with the students that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve in this world if you’re prepared to work hard.

“I grew up in a two up, two down in Macclesfield and I want to take down the barriers that people normally put there for themselves.”

During Kevin’s career, his teams have created more than three billion pounds of shareholder value and his companies have won numerous awards. He has also played international cricket and now enjoys playing in a rock band to relax.

Year 12 students Mercy McFarland, left, and Jess MacLachlan, both 16, met Kevin Gaskell.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re delighted Kevin took the time to come and speak to our students. They were truly inspired and took a great deal of knowledge and information away with them.

“It’s incredibly important to us that we give our students the best possible opportunities in every area of learning and development, broadening their horizons outside the classroom as well as in school.

“Leaders of Kevin’s calibre show exactly what can be achieved with high aspirations, hard work and determination. He has set a fantastic example for our students.”

Year 12 students Mercy McFarland and Jess MacLachlan, both 16, are part of Ron Dearing UTC’s F1 in Schools Challenge team, a global educational programme that raises awareness of STEM and Formula 1 among students and school children in every region, country and continent.

Jess said: “Kevin told us to have three main points in mind when speaking to an audience and to expand on each one.

“He told us he didn’t think he would do very well in his A-levels but went on to do really well. He worked hard to prove people wrong. It made me realise you can do anything you put your mind to, regardless of what anyone tells you. You can prove people wrong.

“It’s really exciting to have opportunities to meet people like Kevin. Every time someone comes to speak to us in school, they all say different things but they all give the same message – you can do it if you have the drive and determination. It’s really inspiring.”

Mercy said: “Kevin gave us tips and tricks on marketing and how to present yourself when talking to an audience. He was really interesting to talk to and came from a similar background to me.

“I was impressed when he told us how determined he is, how he never gives up and how he has become really successful.”

Business leaders inspire next generation of entrepreneurs

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Business leaders from across Hull and the East Riding led a masterclass for Year 12 Ron Dearing students, helping inspire them to become entrepreneurs of the future.

For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO) is an independent Community Interest Company (CIC) comprising of local entrepreneurs who collectively turn over £3.5bn each year and employ more than 23,000 people.

Representing successful private sector businesses of all sizes, its goal is to boost the local economy, create more ambitious entrepreneurs, lift regional aspirations and inspire the next generation. As well as working with schools and colleges, members voluntarily help start-ups and other businesses to succeed and grow.

More than 170 Ron Dearing UTC students spent the day with FEO members at the University of Hull where they experienced an interactive NxGEN FEO Masterclass on some of the keys to business success, including marketing, money, attitude and people.

The entrepreneurs spoke about their businesses, knowledge and experience before the students produced their own business plans and presented their ideas in groups.

Business people from FEO shared their knowledge with Ron Dearing UTC students.

 

FEO members listened and provided feedback to guide them down the right path before the students enjoyed a tour of the university campus on Hull’s Cottingham Road.

Sam Caley, Joint Head of Sixth Form at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see what they could do in the future and covered so many employability skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, listening and being creative.

“We’re really grateful to FEO and its members for giving up their time to support our students in this way and share their extensive knowledge and expertise. The students were able to ask questions and took so much away from the experience.”

Understanding profit and loss, finances behind starting a business, budgeting, finding and pleasing customers, failure and determination and business relationships were among the key elements of the day.

Mental health and wellbeing expert Sue Altass is Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Inspire-Ignite, which works with young people to encourage personal development, confidence and self-esteem, as well as working with businesses and individuals.

FEO member Sue said working with students from Ron Dearing UTC was a great success.

She said: “I spoke about how connecting emotional intelligence with academic intelligence can create rounded individuals which employers are looking for.

Year 12 students discuss their ideas during the FEO event.

 

“The students stepped out of their comfort zones and it was great to see them applying practical thinking to come up with some great business ideas.”

April Madden, Events and Administration Coordinator at FEO, said: “Our members take time out of their own businesses to help the next generation. It’s not about convincing them to become business owners, but to show them the opportunity is there if they want it.

“We talked about how leadership, teamwork and attitude equals success and we’re really proud of all the students. They were engaged, interested and enthusiastic all day.”

Year 12 student Claire Williams, 16, was part of a group which began to develop the idea of an app to helps students manage tasks and homework, and also provide reminders to keep them on track.

She said: “I really liked the entrepreneur talks. You don’t necessarily have to be academically smart to become wealthy and we found out some helpful money tips.

“It was a really good experience.”

Fellow Year 12 student Marcus Swaby, 16, said: “It was a great day and it was fun listening to the entrepreneurs giving us advice. They come from such a wide variety of businesses and gave us some great tips which we can take into everyday life, such as confidence and the importance of first impressions.”

Climate change spotlight shines on Ron Dearing UTC students at COP26

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Two sixth form students from Ron Dearing UTC shared their winning climate change ideas with a high level audience from energy industries at COP26.

Catherine Crees and Jaden Taylor won The Waterline Student Challenge 2021, organised by Marketing Humber, which secured them a trip to the global United Nations climate change conference recently held in Glasgow.

As the “Sustainability Crew”, Catherine and Jaden had to plan and deliver their own eco project and find sustainable climate change solutions as part of The Waterline campaign.

They carefully researched and calculated how students and staff could offset their carbon footprints by cycling to school rather than driving or using public transport, which led to their peers and teachers changing their travel habits and the need for the school’s bike shed to be expanded.

Catherine and Jaden, both 17, were invited to attend and speak at a special COP26 fringe event as part of their prize, sharing their project and ideas with high level invited guests.

Jaden Taylor and Catherine Crees in Glasgow.

 

Catherine said: “I got a real insight into the future of sustainable energy generation, the complexity that we face and the new and emerging technologies that will help us achieve the goal of net zero.

“It was also great to hear how much the Humber is integral to the reduction of carbon for the UK.”

As part of their wider project ambitions, Catherine and Jaden also hope to spend their £2,500 prize money on planting a tree for every Ron Dearing UTC student past, present and future in Hull city centre. Talks are underway with Hull City Council to assess the possibilities, supported by further investment from the employer-led school.

Catherine and Jaden will also receive a behind the scenes VIP experience with a supporting business, providing an insight into potential sustainable career opportunities available to them in the future.

Jaden said: “I really enjoyed being part of the project. COP26 was so interesting and enjoyable, and we found out that capturing carbon and storing it underground can really help the environment.

“There were so many spotlights on us while we were on stage talking about our work. It feels good to know the work we’re doing is meaningful and we couldn’t have had a better platform to share it with others.”

Catherine and Jaden travelled to Glasgow with Ron Dearing UTC Senior Assistant Principal and Head of Engineering Glenn Jensen and Lisa Regan, the school’s Assistant Principal for Professional Qualifications.

Jaden Taylor and Catherine Crees discovered more about efforts to tackle climate change at COP26.

 

Glenn said: “It was really interesting to hear more about carbon capture and the future of energy in the UK.

“It was also a fantastic opportunity to be in the same room as so many influential people from energy generation companies and hear what they had to say about what the transition to net zero looks like.

“For Catherine and Jaden to have that stage presence and talk in front of such a high level audience was amazing and great for their developmental skills.

“The Humber was mentioned heavily throughout our time at COP26, which shows the huge part our region has to play in making a difference.”

The Waterline Student Challenge 2021 was sponsored by SSE Thermal and Catherine and Jaden were named winners from six shortlisted teams.

Entries were judged by representatives from SSE Thermal, KCOM, Associated British Ports (ABP), Yorkshire Water, Ørsted, and Willerby, as well as guest judges from the University of Hull and the Zero Carbon Humber project.

World of opportunity opens at Reckitt for former Ron Dearing UTC students

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The world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company has taken on apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC for the third consecutive year.

Global giant Reckitt, which has one of its biggest operations in Hull, is a Founding Partner of the Ofsted “Outstanding” employer-led school and has employed three more apprentices this year, taking the total to eight since 2019.

Research and Development Apprentice Leoni Wilkinson and Engineering Apprentices Dominik Gal and Ibrahim Aziz are based at the business’ Dansom Lane site but often work from home as most of the company’s non-manufacturing workforce continues to follow Covid-19 precautions.

Reckitt produces many of the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene brands including Dettol, Gaviscon and Nurofen.

Reckitt apprentice Leoni Wilkinson.

 

Leoni, 18, will complete her five-year Chemical Science degree apprenticeship through the University of Kent remotely while continuing to learn and work in person at Reckitt.

She said: “I’m on site three days per week and working as part of the Mucinex formation team, which means we develop the cold and flu products in liquid, tablet and capsule form.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in science and I’m excited to have hands-on experience while learning at the same time. There’s so much opportunity at Reckitt and they really care about their staff.

“Ron Dearing UTC supported me to prepare for my apprenticeship with mock interviews and presentations, which helped me get through the interview process.”

Leoni’s line manager Alex Keable, Formation Associate at Reckitt, said: “When we look for apprentices, we want independent critical thinkers, which is what we get from Ron Dearing UTC. They treat their students as adults.

“It’s tough coming into a large workplace as an 18-year-old, as many employees have degrees, masters degrees and PhDs, so it’s great that they have that mindset. It’s amazing to see how far they can go. Leoni has made a fantastic start to her apprenticeship at Reckitt.”

Apprentices make their mark at global brand business

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The world’s fastest-growing and most innovative digital brand management business has taken on two former Ron Dearing UTC apprentices to bolster its growing Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) team.

Sonoco Trident, one of the school’s Major Partners, has given apprenticeship opportunities to seven former students over the past three years and they have all gone on to have successful careers at the company’s headquarters in Kingswood, Hull.

Kelland Sharpe and Thomas Staniforth, both 18, are this year’s CGI Artist Apprentices and are settling into their roles in the office, as well as spending some time working from home due to continued Covid-19 precautions.

Their roles include creating advertising images, graphics and artwork designs for world-leading companies, brands and products, including Reckitt and Nestlé. They will also study at Hull College one day a week, as well as training with a specialist CGI trainer at Sonoco Trident as part of their two-year apprenticeships.

Kelland said: “It was a big aspiration for me to work for Sonoco Trident and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Sonoco Trident Operations Manager Andy Spencer with former Ron Dearing UTC students and CGI Artist apprentices Thomas Staniforth, centre, and Kelland Sharpe. Picture: Neil Holmes Photography.

 

“We’re going through our training now and four years at Ron Dearing UTC has definitely prepared me for the workplace. The specialisms I studied were perfect for setting me up for this apprenticeship.

“I’m really enjoying it and I hope to work my way up here. An apprenticeship was definitely the right path for me because I can earn while I learn.”

Thomas said: “I love all things digital and Sonoco Trident is the right place for me. It’s a great company to work for.

“We’re creating advertisements using 3D modelling software to give extra depth to the artwork for when it’s used on websites and in other places.

“Ron Dearing UTC is a brilliant school and focuses on how you should learn, respond and act in a workplace. You talk to the teachers as if they are your employers and everything is done to such a high standard. It sets you up for the real world.”

As well as its base in Hull, Sonoco Trident has teams based in Europe, America, Asia and Australia and more than 2,000 of the world’s leading brands trust the business with their brand integrity.

Operations Manager Andy Spencer, who also began his career as an apprentice, said Kelland and Thomas have made great first impressions since joining the business.

He said: “Ron Dearing UTC apprentices come to us work-ready, they’re on time, smart, engaged and keen to learn. We’re really impressed by them and this is a really good route into the industry.

“The feedback about Kelland and Thomas has been great and I think they’re going to have brilliant careers here. Everyone has different ways of learning and you don’t have to go down the university route.

“They’re learning about the business and their roles. Our CGI team is growing and Kelland and Thomas are very much part of that.”

Department for Education grant gives green light to Ron Dearing UTC expansion

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Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC), is delighted to have received approval and funding for exciting expansion plans.

Ron Dearing UTC has been awarded a grant of just over £3.7m to increase its capacity by reconfiguring space in the school’s existing building and creating a hi-tech new Centre for Sustainability in Hull’s former Central Fire Station, adjacent to the school.

Hull’s former Hull Central Fire Station is to be transformed into a hi-tech new Centre for Sustainability as part of the expansion of Ron Dearing UTC.

 

Focusing on decarbonisation and renewables, the expansion will support the Humber’s growth as a leading region for green energy technologies by providing local industry with an additional 100 highly skilled and qualified potential employees every year.

The grant funding for the expansion is from the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund, launched earlier this year to ensure schools and colleges can accommodate an expected increase in sixth form students. Ron Dearing UTC is one of 39 providers across England that have been awarded a total of £83m from the fund.

The Ron Dearing UTC expansion will enable an additional 200 students to study Level 3 qualifications in engineering, creative and digital, increasing the school’s overall capacity to 800 students.

The expansion plans have been drawn up in consultation with parents, local employers, the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Hull City Council and the region’s post-16 education providers. They have been informed by a review of the renewables, engineering and digital curriculum available locally, which highlighted the need to increase places on Level 3 academic applied technical qualifications.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley says the school’s expansion will enable more young people to benefit from its unique employer-led education model.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “This is great news for the region and its young people. Having received approval for our application for funding, we can now focus on turning our plans into reality.

“We’re really excited by this opportunity to offer more students the chance to benefit from our unique employer-led education model and increase the pipeline of talent we provide to local employers.

“We are extremely concerned about climate change and want to play our part in supporting the Humber’s contribution to meeting the UK’s net zero target. As jobs in the green energy sector grow rapidly, our expansion will ensure significantly more local young people are well placed to take advantage of these opportunities.

“Our vision is for our Centre for Sustainability to be a ‘smart building’ that is used as a teaching resource for our students and a model of outstanding practice in terms of green renovation projects.

“I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our amazing employer partners – without their outstanding support this project would not be possible. The backing we have received from Hull City Council has also been crucial, as the council is leasing the former fire station building to us on a long-term peppercorn rent.”

Students at Ron Dearing UTC, which has been over-subscribed every year since it opened in 2017 and is the only provider in Hull judged as “Outstanding” by Ofsted for post-16 provision.

 

Richard Martin, Customer Experience Director at Arco and Ron Dearing UTC’s Chair of Governors, said: “Matching our curriculum with the needs of the region’s employers is what we do best at Ron Dearing.

“This funding allows Sarah and her team to give our students the relevant skills they need to support the region’s ambitious growth plans in the renewables and sustainability sector, as well as expanding our digital capabilities. I’m delighted the DFE is supporting our growth and giving us the tools we need to take our partnerships with the region’s employers to the next level.”

The new Centre of Sustainability is expected to open in September 2022. It will feature renewables workshops as well as digital studios equipped with Computer-Aided Design (CAD), augmented reality and virtual reality software as well as 3D printers. The facilities and equipment will enable students to create product prototypes to address real world industry challenges.

Additional Sixth Form independent study space will be incorporated into the Centre for Sustainability and the school’s existing Ørsted Library. In addition, a number of new science labs will be developed within the school’s current building to broaden the highly successful Science curriculum to include Digital Health.

The Department for Education’s support for the expansion plans reflects Ron Dearing UTC’s success in producing young people with advanced engineering, creative and digital skills for local industry, as well as the school’s status as the only provider in Hull judged as “Outstanding” by Ofsted for post-16 provision.

Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged from 14 to 19 and offers a unique model of employer-led education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

The school has been over-subscribed every year since it opened in September 2017 and has an impressive record for student destinations, with over half of Year 13 leavers progressing to apprenticeships at Level 4 or degree level, compared with just 6% nationally.

Hull’s former Hull Central Fire Station is to be transformed into a hi-tech new Centre for Sustainability as part of the expansion of Ron Dearing UTC.

 

Ron Dearing UTC is supported by many of the region’s leading employers, including KCOM, Reckitt, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew, Spencer Group, Arco and Ørsted. The employer partners are actively involved with the school at all levels, including leadership and governance, curriculum design and delivery, mentoring students and providing sought-after apprenticeship opportunities.

The former Central Fire Station building originally opened in 1929 and was rebuilt after the Second World War. It closed in 2017 and Hull City Council subsequently acquired the site with a view to identifying a new use for the building.

Ron Dearing UTC students equipped with cutting edge robotics skills to increase career opportunities

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Student engineers of the future are learning crucial robotics skills to give them the edge for exciting career opportunities and fill an increasing national industry skills gap.

Year 12 and 13 students at Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) in Hull are working with a state-of-the-art FANUC robot training cell as part of their Automation and Control engineering course, understanding how automation, or robotics, is used by some of the region’s largest manufacturing companies.

The robot has been jointly funded by the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’-rated employer-led school and the UK’s leading shower manufacturer Kohler Mira, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Major Partners.

The robot mirrors tasks which computer software maps out on screen and enables students to gain cutting edge, industry level specialist skills that will set them up for bright futures in an under-staffed sector.

From left, Derek Atkinson, Operations Manager at Kohler Mira (Hull), Year 12 engineering students Isaac Barton, 16, and Mercy McFarlane, 16, and Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal and Head of Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, with the FANUC robot training cell.

 

Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal and Head of Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “This state-of-the-art robot training cell is allowing students to experience first-hand what their jobs in automation could be like in the future.

“They can use an actual robot with real life programming to achieve that, mirroring innovative industry level control and movement and understanding what that will be like in the workplace.

“This is a prime example of how we’re adapting the curriculum to suit employer needs and help to address the national skills shortage in this area of industry.”

Employer Partners of Ron Dearing UTC contribute financially to the pioneering school, playing a key role in developing the curriculum and set industry-standard projects for students to work on.

They also support students by providing careers information, advice and guidance, as well as offering work experience opportunities and often apprenticeships.

The employers are committed to equipping Ron Dearing UTC students with the skills they want to see in their future employees and to ensuring they are work-ready when they leave school.

Thanks to continued developments in technology, Kohler Mira has been at the forefront of the shower market for more than a century and has committed to taking on apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC in 2022.

Kohler Mira has also donated two additional robots to train students on how to fix and maintain them and also assist with programming skills, which will be brought into use in the near future to bolster learning opportunities.

Derek Atkinson, Operations Manager at Kohler Mira (Hull), based in Melton, East Yorkshire, said: “There is a clear and large skills gap in the local area in all aspects of mechanical, electrical and processing engineering, and we often struggle to fill those positions.

Derek Atkinson, Operations Manager at Kohler Mira (Hull), and Year 12 engineering student Mercy McFarlane, 16.

 

“If students already have those skills, it can only be beneficial to our business and that is testament to the fantastic partnership we have with Ron Dearing UTC.

“The Vice President of our business started his career as an apprentice and we wholeheartedly believe in offering these opportunities, which is why we’re delighted that Kohler Mira has committed to taking on apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC next year.

“Automation has enabled our business to grow and even bring business which was initially contracted out to China back to the UK. We’re using technology to safeguard and create jobs, and help us to work more efficiently as a business.”

Year 12 engineering student Mercy McFarlane, 16, said the robotics equipment will open exciting opportunities for learning new skills.

She said: “Having these skills will give me a big advantage over other people when applying for jobs because I’ll have extra experience and knowledge.

“I would like a career in automation and programming, so having this in school is perfect. I’m looking forward to learning more and gaining new skills.”

Plans are also in underway to offer use of the machinery to Employer Partners of the school that wish to use it for training their existing employees.

Fellow Year 12 engineering student Isaac Barton, 16, said: “It’s great to learn automation skills now and have a much higher chance of securing a job in the future.

“I’d really like an apprenticeship with Ron Dearing UTC’s Employer Partners. I like practical and hands-on learning and automation comes into that. It will be great to have skills that other people don’t have.”

Ron Dearing UTC recruits blaze a trail at leading laser manufacturer Luxinar

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Four former Ron Dearing UTC students have secured prized apprenticeships at laser manufacturer Luxinar.

Jack Christian, Rhiannon Lowther, Jake Morris and Ethan Russell, all 18, are now Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Apprentices at the Hessle-based company, which has been at the forefront of laser technology and manufacture for more than two decades.

Luxinar, a Major Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, has installed thousands of lasers worldwide for use in a vast range of industries and applications and has opened its doors to apprentices from the employer-led school for the first time this year.

From left, Ethan Russell, Jake Morris, Jack Christian and Rhiannon Lowther have become the first former Ron Dearing UTC students to join laser technology company Luxinar as apprentices.

 

All four apprentices will experience every area of the business on a rotation basis as part of their two-year Level 3 apprenticeships, including manufacturing, service and after-sales, continuous improvement, quality and cable/loom assembly, and will undergo training with an external training provider every Tuesday.

Jack said: “I’ve always wanted a career in engineering and I’m really pleased to be here. I was one of the first students to join Ron Dearing UTC when it opened in 2017 and it was perfect for me. I’d rather earn while I learn through an apprenticeship than go to university.”

Rhiannon said: “Luxinar is a great place to start my career. I’d like to progress into electrical engineering or manufacturing in the future and this apprenticeship will give me a great grounding.

“Being a student at Ron Dearing UTC gives you lots of opportunities and opens doors, and you learn what is expected of you in the workplace.”

Luxinar is committed to inspiring and encouraging students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related careers, helping to shape its local future talent pipeline.

Jake said: “I’m working in service and after-sales at the moment, which means we assemble, test and fix the lasers returned from customers, and I’m really enjoying it so far.

“I prefer practical-based learning and Ron Dearing UTC helped me to go down the right engineering path. The teachers are great and very supportive, and it’s a really professional environment.”

Former Ron Dearing UTC students, from left, Ethan Russell, Jake Morris, Rhiannon Lowther and Jack Christian, with Chris Newman, Supervisor at their new employer, Luxinar. All four have taken up Mechanical and Electrical Engineering apprenticeships at the laser manufacturer.

 

Ethan, who is currently learning and working with power supplies as part of his apprenticeship, said: “Being a Luxinar apprentice is helping me learn more about the industry and it’s a really good company to work for. Gaining engineering theory and manufacturing experience at Ron Dearing UTC has stood me in good stead for this role.”

Chris Newman, Supervisor at Luxinar, said the company’s first cohort of Ron Dearing UTC apprentices are settling in well and they will be offered the opportunity to progress to degree level in the future if they wish.

He said: “They’re already achieving at a high level because of the skills they’ve gained from Ron Dearing UTC in readiness for the workplace.

“As a Major Partner, it’s invaluable to have the pick of the talent from the school and we’re looking forward to helping them progress within the business. Ron Dearing students are a cut above!”

Photos by Neil Holmes Photography

Hull’s employer-led school celebrates third year of positive destinations for sixth form students

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Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) has recorded a clean sweep of positive destinations for its sixth form students for the third consecutive year.

Every one of the employer-led school’s Year 13 students have gone on to exciting apprenticeships, university, employment, further education or the Armed Forces, securing fantastic career opportunities and bright futures.

It’s the third year the Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated Hull school has had no students who are not in education, employment or training after leaving sixth form.

Of the 117 sixth form students, 60 have secured apprenticeships with leading businesses, including many of Ron Dearing UTC’s Employer Partners, and 39 have moved onto study at university, including at some of the prestigious Russell Group of universities.

Sonoco Trident Operations Manager Andy Spencer with former Ron Dearing UTC students and CGI Artist apprentices Thomas Staniforth, centre, and Kelland Sharpe. Picture: Neil Holmes Photography.

 

Ten students have gained employment, five have gone onto other further education colleges and three have taken up positions with the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Ron Dearing UTC Founding Partners Spencer Group and Reckitt and have taken on nine and three apprentices respectively. Meanwhile, Major Partners Arco and Luxinar have both taken on four, fellow Major Partner Sonoco Trident has taken on two and other leading businesses have each taken on a single student.

The apprenticeships cover a wide range of in-demand roles and skills, including Engineering, Digital, Graphic Production and Research and Development.

In addition, 11 Year 11 students who left Ron Dearing UTC this summer have also secured apprenticeships, while two went into the Army.

New Arco recruits, from left, James Swinburne, Chloe Marshall, Ben Maycock and Kai Ingram with the company’s Head of Business Improvement, Neil Cavill. Picture: Hull News & Pictures.

 

Businesses that have taken on Ron Dearing UTC students as apprentices say the school provides young people who are fully prepared for the world of work with the skills to thrive with their new employers.

Ron Dearing UTC Governor Neil Cavill, Head of Business Improvement at the UK’s leading safety company, Arco, said: “We’re delighted four apprentices have joined us and chosen Arco to start their careers.

“It’s clear that the skills and experience they’ve gained at Ron Dearing will stand them in good stead as they begin working life with us. We’re looking forward to seeing them grow and develop over the coming years.”

Chris Newman, who is responsible for skills-based training and development at Hessle-based Luxinar, a world leader in laser manufacture, said: “Our apprentices have settled in nicely and they’re already achieving at a high level because of the skills they’ve gained from Ron Dearing UTC in readiness for the workplace.

“As a Major Partner, it’s invaluable to have the pick of the talent from the school and we’re looking forward to helping them progress within the business. Ron Dearing students are a cut above!”

Former Ron Dearing UTC students., from left, Ethan Russell, Jake Morris, Rhiannon Lowther and Jack Christian, who have taken up Mechanical and Electrical Engineering apprenticeships at Luxinar. Picture: Neil Holmes Photography.

 

Alex Keable, Formation Associate at Reckitt, the world’s foremost consumer health and hygiene company, is managing one of the three Ron Dearing UTC apprentices taken on by the business.

He said: “When we look for apprentices, we want independent critical thinkers, which is what we get from Ron Dearing UTC. They treat their students as adults.

“It’s tough coming into a large workplace as an 18-year-old, as many employees have degrees, masters degrees and PhDs, so it’s great that they have that mindset. It’s amazing to see how far they can go.”

Engineering specialist Spencer Group hired 14 apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC two years ago in the largest intake of young new talent and they have all now secured permanent, full-time trainee positions with the company.

Spencer Group’s latest intake of apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC: Back, from left, Oliver O’Loughlin, Tom Crossland, Carter Lees and Alfie Stanford; front, from left, Luke Raine-Ellerker, Tom O’Loughlin, Lee Chamberlain, Alex Burr and Jack Webster. Picture: Neil Holmes Photography.

 

With this year’s intake of a further nine apprentices and five who were recruited last year, Spencer group has hired a total of 28 former Ron Dearing UTC students under its apprenticeship programme in just two years.

Charlie Spencer OBE, Executive Chairman of Spencer Group, who is also a Governor of the school, said: “The apprentices are all at the required academic level, have excellent technical and employability skills and, perhaps most importantly, a brilliant attitude.”

Sonoco Trident is the world’s fastest-growing and most innovative digital brand management business and has taken on 7 Ron Dearing UTC apprentices over the past three years, including two this year.

Operations Manager Andy Spencer said: “Ron Dearing UTC apprentices come to us work-ready, they’re on time, smart, engaged and keen to learn. We’re really impressed by them and this is a really good route into the industry.”

Research and Development Apprentice Leoni Wilkinson is one of three new recruits Reckitt has taken on from Ron Dearing UTC. Picture: Reckitt.

 

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see all of our Year 13 students move onto positive destinations for the third consecutive year.  We’re extremely proud of our track record in terms of none of our leavers being ‘NEET’ (Not in Education, Employment or Training) every year since we opened.

“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our amazing employer partners and the incredible hard work of our student support team who go ‘the extra mile and some’ to ensure all our students have high-quality progression routes.

“Our unique curriculum is designed to produce students who are ready to hit the ground running when they leave and have a positive impact in the workplace or at university.

“Without doubt, the skills and knowledge they gain at Ron Dearing UTC help to pave the way for them to have brilliant futures and we wish every one of them the very best of luck.

“I cannot thank the staff and our employers enough for providing such fantastic opportunities and making sure RDUTC really does give students the edge.”

Opened in 2017, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19, offering a unique model of employer-led education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.