A GLOBAL air traffic control business has teamed up with a new Hampshire technical college.

Whiteley-based NATS, which handled 2.4 million flights in UK airspace during 2015, will support the Portsmouth UTC, a government-funded school for 14-19 year olds.

The UTC Portsmouth, due to open in September, will specialise in electrical and mechanical engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

University of Portsmouth Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Hayes said: “It is excellent news that NATS is on board as one of the industry sponsors because the school is all about focusing on students learning through the development and delivery of projects that are directly relevant to the needs of industry.”

Daily Echo:

NATS' air traffic control centre in Swanwick

UTC Portsmouth aims to increase the number of young people with the skills to become future engineers. The project has significant support from the Salterns Academy Trust, BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Land Rover BAR, and Young Engineers.

David Hawken, Director of Engineering, NATS, said: “Engineering covers a wide scope and plays a key part in the air traffic management industry, so we want to further encourage engineering studies.”

Admissions for Year 10 and Year 12 students open in September 2016 visit the website utcportsmouth.org for more information.