THE Government has received a second bid to open a university technical college (UTC) in the Tees Valley.

Darlington 14 to 19 Partnership, with engine company Cummins, has applied to host a UTC in the town.

It is understood existing education facilities would be used rather than a new building.

The bid follows an announcement by Middlesbrough College that it hoped to open a UTC for 500 to 800 pupils at its Middlehaven site.

Darlington 14 to 19 Partnership is made up of Darlington Borough Council, Darlington College, schools and businesses.

Tim Grant, Darlington College principal, said: “The Darlington 14 to 19 Partnership has submitted a proposal for a university technology college sponsored by Cummins and we are waiting to hear the outcome of that.”

UTCs are aimed at 14 to 19- year-olds who want to learn technical skills. It is hoped vocational training could engage youngsters at risk of dropping out of education.

Steve Nendick, Cummins’ communications director, said the company would help with mentoring and curriculum advice. He said: “We are very supportive of this project because we are trying to get people into engineering jobs in this region.”

UTCs need to have the backing of a university. It is believed Teesside University is supporting Darlington’s bid, as well as the Middlesbrough proposal.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in the budget that the number of planned UTCs would to be doubled to 24.

With Government funding limited, it is not known if two UTCs would be approved in the Tees Valley and whether Darlington and Middlesbrough are competing against each other.

Mr Grant said: “The college supports any initiative which would provide high-quality vocational education which increases the life chances of young people in Darlington and beyond.”

The University and Colleges Union has raised concerns that UTCs will divert money from further education colleges.