Brum's technical start

The Guardian has reported that Tory Lord Baker joins government on reviving technical schools after former Tory schools secretary is helping the government set up a new generation of technical schools to train teenagers to become builders, technicians and engineers. The first of these new technical schools, "university technical college" for 14-19 year olds, will be in Birmingham and is to be sponsored by Aston University. Eight other universities are in talks with the government about sponsoring similar schools.

"Aston will specialise in engineering but offer proper literacy and numeracy training as well. We want our lads and lasses to start with basic stuff: electric circuits and welding. I think this is the way forward for technical education in our country."http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/aug/30/government-plans-new-technical-schools