From September, SGS Berkeley Green UTC will be offering a cyber security qualification at level 2 (GCSE equivalent).

Government estimates suggest that over 100,000 cyber security jobs go unfilled every year in the UK. Worldwide, the figure is closer to three million. SGS Berkeley Green UTC is a local school on a mission to produce highly skilled students to help fill these gaps.

It will be one of only two schools nationally to offer the new level 2 cyber security course.

The UTC is unique in the area in providing a state-funded specialist education geared towards meeting the needs of local employers. Students enjoy a curriculum which, in addition to offering the core subjects you would expect in any school, provides them with an enormous range of opportunities to interact with businesses and education organisations. It is a National Cyber Security Centre Gold award-winning school, a recognition of excellence in the delivery of digital subjects.

Louise Davies, headteacher, said: "Our mission is clear. We want to enable young people to become the STEM specialists of the future. When they go out into the world of work or further study, our students are highly sought after because they can meet the needs of employers.

"They are knowledgeable, confident and have experience of working in a professional environment. This new qualification in cyber security and digital forensics will add even more value to the education they receive with us."

The UTC recruits students from across the local area, who can join at the start of year 10 for GCSE courses and from year 12 for post-16 options. The application round for September 2022 is still open.

Details can be found at https://academytrust.sgscol.ac.uk/sgs-berkeley-green-utc.