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Jack Jevons

In News, Uncategorised

UK needs more cyber specialists

New research has found that there has been a huge increase in the number of UK firms reporting cyber attacks and most businesses say they are unprepared for cyber breaches.

The insurer Hiscox found 55% of UK firms had face an attack in 2019, a jump of 40% compared to last year. Almost three quarters of firms were ranked as “novices” in terms of cyber readiness.

Gareth Wharton, head of Cyber at Hiscox says that some businesses may be spending less on cyber security because they feel they may not be targeted: “They may feel like they won’t be targeted, as we tend to only read about large breaches in the press. If they incorrectly feel that they won’t be targeted, they may be less likely to spend on cyber security.”

At UTC Warrington, we are responding to business demand and developing the next wave of cyber security specialists to help combat the increase in cyber breaches.

We’re the only college in Warrington to offer a tailored Cyber pathway for Year 12 students starting in September. Students will study a BTEC Level 3 in Computing which includes software development and programming.

Alongside a specialist course, students also have the opportunity to earn an industry-standard qualification – Resilia – which helps embed best practice cyber security skills to our learners

In Enrichment

UTC students bring designs to life

Youngsters from across the UK gathered at HMS Sultan, Gosport recently in order to compete in The Royal Navy Engineering Challenge – Exercise Downbird Recovery.

Held in partnership with University Technical Colleges (UTCs), Eaton Ltd, Babcock and BAE Systems, the Challenge aimed to inspire young people to engage further with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects through having to design and build two remote-controlled vehicles, a land-based recovery vehicle capable of carrying a stranded helicopter and a ship that can transport it to safety.

Over 70 teams competed in the Challenge, including four Year 10 students from UTC Warrington who enjoyed the opportunity to experience 24 hours of Naval life, including a night on board HMS Bristol.

Prizes were awarded across 10 different categories between groups aged 14-16, 16-18 and for apprentices from industry aged 18-24 with the RAF team from RAF Cosford, the ‘Bomber Buoys’ declared overall winners for their design.

The Chairman of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking said: “I’m delighted to see so many students from University Technical Colleges (UTCs) taking part in this year’s Royal Navy Engineering Challenge. Through this competition, the Royal Navy offer UTC students a unique experience and the opportunity to apply the technical knowledge and practical skills they learn every day at their UTC. The work the Royal Navy does to inspire young engineers has never been more important as this country’s need for talent and skills has never been greater.”

The Navy’s head of training and lead STEM coordinator, Commodore Andy Cree, said: “Today marked another hugely enjoyable milestone in the Royal Navy’s annual challenge and my congratulations go to all those who completed it.  Our most complex challenge to date brought together elements of additive manufacture and robotics in real-world conditions and it was fascinating to see over 70 teams across 3 age groups competing to solve the same problem, with shared learning all round.”

In Employer Engagement

Engineering students visit scaffolding business

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2019, Birchwood-based scaffolding training and safety experts, SIMIAN were delighted to welcome a delegation of 15 & 16 year-old would-be Scaffolders from UTC Warrington.

As part of the scaffolding familiarisation session, the youngsters were given an insight into the scaffolding industry and the apprenticeship career path. The day was hosted by Isaac Morrison, CISRS Advanced Scaffolder and CISRS Scaffolding Instructor – himself a former scaffolding apprentice; and Donna Johnson, Simian’s north-west based Field Support Officer.

Simian’s team gave the pupils an introduction into scaffolding health and safety, followed by a tour of the 15,00 square foot Kelvin Street training facility. The young delegates stopped for a buffet lunch, before heading out into the yard to build a small section of scaffolding.

Speaking after the event, Donna Johnson said, “We’re delighted to play our part in National Apprenticeship Week and providing an insight into the scaffolding apprenticeship pathway to the budding Scaffolders from UTC, will hopefully inspire one or two more youngsters to seek a career in scaffolding. We are currently looking to match would-be Apprentices with potential employers and this is just one of a number of initiatives we have, to achieve this.”

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