Digital Students Take on Cyber Challenges at CyberFirst Discovery Day
On Monday 19th January, selected students from our Digital courses visited DiSH (Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub) and the Barclays Eagle Lab to take part in a CyberFirst Discovery Day. The visit gave students a real insight into the fast-moving world of cyber security and the future of technology.
Across the day, students took part in cyber challenges and interactive workshops focused on AI and cyber security. Alongside developing their technical thinking, they also explored the wide range of careers available in the digital sector and what routes into those careers can look like.
Keele University Trip Brings STEM Learning to Life
This week, students from Engineering and Science enjoyed a STEM-focused trip to Keele University. The day offered a brilliant look at university life, with hands-on activities designed to build confidence and spark curiosity in real technical problem-solving.
Students worked through practical tasks, including building a small powered car and assembling a working speaker, before finishing with a campus tour. For many, it helped connect what they learn in the classroom to real progression routes after Year 11 and Sixth Form.
Back in the Workshop: Hands-On Projects Underway
Following the trips, it’s been great to see students bringing that energy back into the workshop and getting straight into practical projects. Across Engineering and Science, students have started applying their skills in a hands-on way — building, testing, improving, and working as teams.
This is exactly what UTC Warrington is about: learning by doing. These projects help students develop the technical confidence, resilience, and workplace habits they’ll need for industry placements, apprenticeships, and future study.
Two of our Year 12 cadets have been chosen to take part in a Cadet Exchange Programme that takes place in July this
year. The cadets took part in a weekend training exercise in April at Altcar Training Camp in Hightown, Formby. They were selected by an independent Army Selection Team.
Kyle Appleton and Sam Woolland will travel to Lithuania later this year to take part in the exchange visit that includes
outdoor team building and a range of military themed activities. The pair will work with other British and foreign cadets, as part of the Exercise Baltic Guard, aimed at engaging the UK and Baltic States.
The selection weekend involved a variety of activities designed to test the leadership skills and character of the cadets. These included command tasks, group discussions, and first aid scenarios. They will represent UTC Warrington CCF and are amongst other ACF/CCF contingents from all over the UK.
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
Latest figures supplied by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) show that the majority of jobs in the nuclear sector are in the North West.
Students at UTC Warrington have been celebrating a 100% pass rate for its specialist technical qualifications, with students securing top apprenticeships and university places.
On Friday, we celebrated with Year 11 as they prepare to begin their GCSE exams. Continue Reading
Students at Warrington’s University Technical College have been inspired to use their technical engineering skills to aid the town’s network of buses, following an exclusive visit to the headquarters of Warrington’s Own Buses. Continue Reading
We recently held taster sessions for our future Year 12 students! Continue Reading
