A VISION to create a £10m North-East engineering centre of excellence is moving closer to fruition, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Bosses at the South Durham University Technical College (UTC), in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have confirmed designs for the building are near completion.

The UTC, approved by the Government last year, will specialise in engineering and advanced manufacturing, training up to 600 students, including more women, every year from 2018.

However, it won't offer apprenticeships, instead providing a platform for youngsters take up such roles at companies in the region.

It is understood the building, which will open next year, will be based close to Hitachi’s £82m Aycliffe train building plant.

The UTC plans are led by the University of Sunderland, with support from Hitachi, which wants workers for its 730-job factory, and car parts maker Gestamp Tallent, in a bid to help plug a regional skills gap.

The area is expected to lose up to 8,500 engineers to retirement by next year.

In a document seen by The Northern Echo, bosses have outlined further details of the UTC, including a focus on its curriculum.

According to the report, students aged between 14 and 16-years-old will have their studies split in two, with 60 per cent of work focusing on core subjects, such as maths, science and English, and 40 per cent on technical subjects.

For learners over 16, the divide will change, with 60 per cent devoted to level three (A-Level and Btec) studies in chosen technical areas and maths, with the potential for students to do two further A-levels.

It said: “Both advanced manufacturing and engineering are crucial to the future success of the North of England.

“In order to grow, companies need people with higher skills more than ever before.

“While existing schools and colleges already make a significant contribution to both sectors, employers consistently report they need more young people with higher scientific and technical ability.

“This UTC aims to re-address such issues, with a strong focus on manufacturing and engineering.

"However, delivery of apprenticeships will not be a focus of the UTC, as it aims to offer a different style of learning."

The report added plans are in place to take on 240 pupils in its first year, made up of 120 year ten and 120 year 12 pupils.

That number is expected to swell to 540 in the 2017/2018 school year, including 300 year ten and year 12 pupils and 240 year 11 and year 13 students, and 600 in 2018/2019, with 150 youngsters across every group.

The UTC will run from 8.30am until 4.30pm, except Tuesdays, when it will close at 3.30pm.

To drive the project further forward, the university, Hitachi and Tallent will next week hold public consultation meetings for students, parents and employers to learn more about the UTC.

The events take place between 4pm and 4.30pm and 6pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, February 24, at the Xcel Centre, in Newton Aycliffe.

To confirm a place, email alison.ohara@sunderland.ac.uk, or visit sunderland.ac.uk/utc/consultation