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From JAMIE.GOODWIN@HULLCC.GOV.UK | Monday 5 October 2020

Major Hull employers including KCOM, RB, Spencer Group, Siemens Mobility, Sonoco Trident, Arco, BP and Pure Renewables have taken on apprentices.

Former Ron Dearing UTC students, from left, Tom Dubej, Oliver Walkington, Charlie Hutty, Corben Spencer and Olly Kneeshaw with Gary Thornton, Managing Director of their new employer, Spencer Group.

Dozens of students from Hull’s Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have secured sought-after apprenticeships with some of the region’s leading employers.

With other school leavers gaining places at university, securing employment or going into the Armed Forces, it means almost all Year 13 students who left the city's employer-led school this summer have moved onto a positive destination.

Twenty-five former sixth form students have now begun apprenticeship programmes at eight different businesses after completing their A-level and technical qualifications, with some chosen for the opportunities over hundreds of other applicants.

The apprenticeships vary from rail technician to web developer, software engineer, IT support, research and development, laboratory technician and more.

As well as the Year 13 students, a further 11 learners from Year 11 have also secured apprenticeships with local employers.

Communications provider KCOM, a founding partner of Ron Dearing UTC, has taken on three apprentices from the school, with the students chosen from 500 applicants for 10 positions.

RB, Spencer Group, Siemens Mobility, Sonoco Trident, Arco, BP and Pure Renewables have also taken on apprentices.

Siemens Mobility apprentices Megan Turner, left, and Kate Rodley, with director of localisation Finbarr Dowling.

Ron Dearing UTC principal Sarah Pashley said: “This has been an enormously difficult year. We know how tough it has been for many businesses, employees and students, with job losses and the reduction in training programmes due to the economic impact of the pandemic.

“In these circumstances it’s remarkable that so many of our sixth form leavers have moved on to fantastic apprenticeships with world-class businesses.

“Our students have worked so hard for these opportunities and have overcome the many challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis. They deserve every success and I’m so proud of them."

Ron Dearing UTC is now recruiting for places available in years 10 and 12 in September 2021, with the first open event of the academic year on Thursday 8 October. Apply or find more information here.