£10m released to build technical college in Medway
The government has confirmed it will provide the funds to build a technical college in Medway costing £10m.
The University Technical College (UTC) would be built at Chatham Docks and will specialise in engineering and construction for 600 students.
It would offer practical and academic education and training for 14 to 19-year-olds, from September 2015.
A public consultation on the plans runs until 3 February. A first bid for the college was turned down in 2012.
Minister for Schools, Lord Nash, announced that the Department for Education (DoE) would release the finance for the college.
'Engage and enthuse'
The UTC is sponsored by the University of Greenwich, Mid Kent College, Medway Council, BAE Systems and other local employers.
Rodney Chambers, Medway Council leader, said: "The UTC will enable a degree of specialisation before the age of 16 that is currently unavailable and it will engage and enthuse students.
"It will also benefit local employers, which in turn will boost the local economy."