UTC Sheffield Vice Principal Appointed

24th April 2013

A Vice Principal has been appointed for the brand new University Technical College Sheffield, the first of its kind in Yorkshire.

Alex Reynolds, 29, started his post this week. His previous role was as Director of Engineering at the Black Country University Technical College (UTC) in Walsall, West Midlands. Prior to that Alex, who was born in Walsall, was Head of Curriculum Development at the Black Country UTC working with companies including Siemens, ZF Lemforder and Finning. Alex's area of expertise is in product and computer aided design. He started his career in an innovative commercial product development bureau within Walsall College, where he worked with local, national and international employers in the automotive, injection moulding, uPVC windows, security, industrial hardware and fashion sectors helping them bring new products to market. He has also been a lecturer at the college, teaching young people and adults, and has a first class honours degree in Computer Aided Product Design from Wolverhampton University. Alex said: "As a skilled designer and computer aided design engineer with an immense passion for art and the creative industries, my interests in life mirror those of the University Technical College Sheffield specialisms. I am thrilled to be appointed as Vice Principal. The model in Sheffield has all the essential elements in place to make it the best UTC to date. The combination of creative and engineering subjects creates opportunities for collaboration between sectors and will ensure students develop the right mix of skills for 21st century industry." Nick Crew, Principal of the University Technical College Sheffield, added: "Alex brings a wealth of skills and talent. He has the experience of setting up a UTC already, and understands how to develop an innovative and responsive curriculum that is both inspirational to young people and relevant to industry. His appointment will help to ensure we deliver outstanding results for our students that equip them with the skills to gain employment or progress to further and higher education, and support the needs of employers in Sheffield City Region." The £9.9 million UTC Sheffield for 14 to 19-year-olds will specialise in academic and technical qualifications, and work-based learning for the creative and digital media industries, and advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors. The UTC will be fitted with £1 million of specialist equipment including engineering mini factories, advanced design and sound studios, Arduino and Raspberry Pi workshops and IT environments for creating and testing technology, and a multi-use rooftop sports pitch. GCSEs and A-levels will be offered alongside specialist vocational diploma courses. A personal support and transition plan will be put in place for younger students moving across to the UTC Sheffield part way through school. Applications are still being accepted for Year 10 places. To book a place at the next free information events, on Tuesday April 16th and Tuesday May 21st from 6pm to 8pm at the Creative Lounge, The Workstation, Sheffield, go to www.utcsheffield.org.uk.