High-tech Apprentice School to open in Harlow

A high-tech Apprentice School is to open in Harlow following my two-year campaign.

- The UTC will provide vocational training and pre-apprenticeships for around 600 pupils, aged 14 to 19. It will also teach Maths and English and other core GCSEs and A-Levels.

- The key focus will be on medical technology to support local employers and the new medical Enterprise Zone opening in Harlow next year.

This is an incredible day for Harlow. For two years I have worked with Harlow College, Anglia Ruskin University and others to bring a high-tech vocational school to our town.

"This will mean millions of pounds of new investment for Harlow, jobs, and regeneration. Adding to our local schools, it will give local youngsters aged 14 to 19 the chance to get high-tech skills and opportunities for the future.

For two years I have had numerous meetings with Education Ministers and decision-makers, asking them to green light this project. Plus I have raised it several times in Parliament, with everyone from the Prime Minister down, to win support.

I was pleased to bring together the bid partners, including world-beating Harlow firms like Pearson UK, GSK, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Johnson Controls, and the Joint Contracts Tribunal.

Harlow is an entrepreneurial town. We have the highest business growth in the UK. The Enterprise Zone opening next year will give us 5,000 extra jobs, and low-tax business climate.

But this new University Technical College will help to make sure that local Harlow youngsters benefit.

For far too long, we suffered from a problem with youth unemployment. This new high-tech apprentice school will be a huge boost.

I am very proud as Harlow's MP to see something that I and others have worked for - for so long - come into being.

Colin Hindmarch, Principal of Harlow College, said: "I'm delighted that we've won this bid. Many, many people have worked to make this happen.

"But it was thanks especially to two years of solid hard work from Robert Halfon MP, who has campaigned publicly and behind the scenes, to bring a UTC to Harlow - with all that it means for new jobs, apprenticeship training and new opportunities for young people.

“From the beginning, Rob has worked tirelessly to make this happen. He is passionate about apprenticeships - and even employs a Harlow College apprentice in his office."
In addition to the key events, meetings, and parliamentary debates and questions recorded below I have also corresponded over 130 times by email and letter over the last two years to build the Harlow UTC bid (primarily with key bid partners, but also with local and national media, and the Civil Service).

2010

04 Jun 2010 - Initial meeting with Colin Hindmarch, Principal of Harlow College, and his staff.

21 Jul 2010 - Spoke in a Parliamentary debate on Apprentices, and urged the Government to invest more in vocational education: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?gid=2010-07-21b.80.0

28 Jul 2010 - Met with Cllr Stephen Castle (Education Portfolio, Essex County Council) to seek his support for a UTC bid in Harlow.

06 Sep 2010 - Met with officials from BakerDearing Trust, to discuss a UTC bid in Harlow.

03 Oct 2010 - Met with Rod Bristow of Pearson UK to discuss outline of UTC bid in Harlow.

02 Nov 2010 - Met again with Rod Bristow of Pearson UK to discuss how UTC bid can be developed successfully with partners.

09 Nov 2010 - Met with Mike Thorne (Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University) to discuss a UTC bid in Harlow

30 Nov 2010 - Met with GSK to ask for their support, as an employer, for the UTC bid.

2011

08 Feb 2011 - Raised the prospect of a Harlow UTC bid in Parliament: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110208/debtext/110208-0002.htm#11020841000786

15 Feb 2011 - Phonecall with senior GSK executive about the UTC bid.

21 Mar 2011 - Brought Health Minister to GSK, to make the case to Government for a medi-tech UTC in Harlow.

24 Mar 2011 - Secured the support of the Leader of the House of Commons for a Harlow UTC, in a Parliamentary debate:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110324/debtext/110324-0001.htm#11032467001368

28 Mar 2011 - Secured the support of Education Secretary Michael Gove for a Harlow UTC, in Education Questions in the House of Commons: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110328/debtext/110328-0002.htm#11032822000295

30 Mar 2011 - Secured the support of Prime Minister David Cameron for a Harlow UTC, in Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110330/debtext/110330-0001.htm#11033062001945

04 Apr 2011 - Met again with Mike Thorne (Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University), Harlow College, and Johnson Controls Ltd to progress the UTC bid in Harlow.

08 Apr 2011 - Met with senior officials of Pearson UK to discuss UTC bid.

12 May 2011 - Met again with Cllr Stephen Castle (Education Portfolio, Essex County Council) to confirm his support for a UTC bid in Harlow.

10 Jun 2011 - Telephone call with Pearson UK to discuss UTC bid in Harlow.

22 Jun 2011 - Spoke in support of UTCs in the House of Commons http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?gid=2011-06-22b.81.1

12 Jul 2011 - Met with Lord Baker and Lord Adonis to discuss progressing the Harlow bid.

19 Aug 2011 - First pitch meeting to the Dept. for Education civil servants at Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street Westminster LONDON SW1P 3PT.

22 Sep 2011 - Visited Harlow College to speak with students and staff at the Student Fair, about the proposal of a UTC on-campus.

26 Oct 2011 - Meeting with Lord Baker in Peers Lobby (House of Lords).

01 Nov 2011 - Attended the UTC applicants reception in House of Lords, to support the Harlow bid.

02 Nov 2011 - Successfully applied for a debate in Parliament, specifically about UTCs. Urged the Government to back a UTC bid for Harlow and to invest more in vocational training: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2011-11-02a.1058.2

2012

09 Jan 2012 - Meeting of all UTC bid partners at Harlow College, to plan final bid to Dept. for Education

24 Jan 2012 - Spoke at Westminster Education Forum, in favour of the Harlow UTC bid.

08 Feb 2012 - Second meeting of all UTC bid partners at Harlow College, to plan final bid to Dept. for Education.

09 Feb 2012 - Met with Lord Baker and Baker Dearing Trust officials in Parliament.

09 Feb 2012 - Attended UTC applicants event in the House of Lords along with Harlow College, GSK, and Anglia Ruskin University.

27 Apr 2012 - Met with senior GSK executives in Harlow.

19 Mar 2012 - Spoke at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skills, in favour of UTCs and the regeneration and jobs that they can bring to towns such as Harlow.

20 Mar 2012 - Spoke at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprentices, in favour of the Harlow UTC bid.

21 May 2012 - Submitted evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Skills, making the case for additional funding for UTCs.

28 May 2012 - Victory! The Department for Education confirm that they will officially back Robert Halfon's campaign, and approve the bid for a University Technical College in Harlow.