Newton Aycliffe's £10m technology college site approved
A site for the North East's first university-style college to train engineers has been chosen.
The University of Sunderland revealed the new University Technical College (UTC), will be built at Long Tens Way, at the Newton Aycliffe business park.
It is due to open in 2016 and will have space for up to 600 youngsters.
The centre will specialise in advanced manufacturing and engineering training for students aged 14 to 19 from across South Durham and the Tees Valley.
The UTC is a partnership between the university, Hitachi Rail Europe and Gestamp Tallent Limited.
It is being funded by the Department for Education.
Chairman of the trustees at the University of Sunderland, Professor Gary Holmes said: "We can now confirm that we expect contractors to start work in the summer.
"The building design is at an early stage but will feature a specialist engineering hall with state-of-the-art kit and the facility for large scale work to take place."