College Develops Talent for Science ; New School Produces Scientists for Hi-Tech Businesses

Oct 05, 04:09 PM

Current Headlines: By Paul James

BOSSES at Newcastle College have launched a new school aimed at filling thousands of high-technology jobs in the city with North- East youngsters.

They have created a new School of Applied Science, which would create a production line of young talent for the ambitious Newcastle Science City project, that wants to create 20,000 jobs in cutting- edge business.

Spearheaded by director Alan Bainbridge, the vision for the new school is a brand new facility that could even be based on the Science City headquarters on the former Newcastle Breweries site.

It will be the catalyst for developing new programmes in areas including general manufacturing, aerospace, bio-science, pharmaceutical, computing and sub-sea industries.

Mr Bainbridge said the school would allow the college to provide specialist training in direct response to the needs of employers, teaching students ranging from school leavers to specialists.

Currently 180 computing students, 100 engineering apprentices, 60 aerospace students and 40 scientists graduate from the college each year.

And yesterday Mr Bainbridge said: "If people think there's a shortage of young people who want to do these difficult subjects, which are also theoretically challenging, they're mistaken.

"These are good jobs, well-paid jobs. People in the Newcastle and Gateshead conurbation have an inbred quality that lends them to these kind of subjects.

"We're talking about people having national and international opportunities through these programmes we're running in Newcastle. We're also building an infrastructure for the people of Newcastle to take up the opportunities that Science City is going to give us all."

The Newcastle Science City Partnership is focusing on four major themes: Ageing and Health, Energy and Environment, Molecular Engineering and Stems Cells and Regenerative Medicine - which will be focused on the new headquarters at the brewery site. Bosses have already committed more than pounds 100m to projects, including pounds 25m invested in the North-East England Stem Cell Institute and pounds 7m for new research laboratories at the Campus of Ageing and Vitality at Newcastle's General Hospital.

Science City director Sarah Stewart said: "This is another significant development for science in the region that will help to address the skills needs of the future, which is a fundamental part of Newcastle Science City's Integrated Education Strategy. As a strategic partner in Newcastle Science City, the college is demonstrating that studying science through all stages of education is vital to developing an environment in which achievement and progression can flourish.

"The school's work will also build links with industry and work in partnership to help to meet their needs - a proactive approach which forms an exciting part of Newcastle Science City's plans."

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