Young people interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and computing can find out about Newhaven's new University Technical College (UTC) at a series of open evenings.

The new college for 14-18 year olds specialises in technical and scientific subjects with a focus on the environment and sustainability.

Principal designate, Jonathan Clarke said: “UTC@harbourside will appeal to students with ambition who enjoy finding out how things work, who care about the environment, who like to use maths and science to solve real-life problems and who want to make a difference to the world in which we live.”

UTCs offer a curriculum backed by the business community and industry partners.

Mr Clarke said: “We'll be working with employers to create interesting projects and help our students develop the skills they need to pursue fulfilling careers in any field.”

UTC@harbourside, the only UTC on the south east coast, will specialise in the skills in demand from the region's growing marine engineering and environmental technology sectors.

Mr Clarke said:“Engineering is a way to make a better environment through developing cleaner and renewable energy, making products less harmful, recyclable and biodegradable and understanding the climate better and protecting people where they live.”

The historic marine and carpenters’ workshops at Railway Quay, two minutes from Newhaven Town railway station, are being converted to create a state-of-the-art college building.

Interested Year nine and 11 students and their parents can find out more and meet Mr Clarke at open evenings in Newhaven, Brighton and Eastbourne.

Monday, October 20, 6.30-7.30pm, Huxley Lecture Theatre, University of Brighton, Queensdown Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ

Thursday, October 23, 7-8pm, Hillbrow Lecture Theatre, University of Brighton, Hillbrow Campus, Denton Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7SR

Tuesday, November 4, 7-8pm, Hillcrest Community Centre, Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, BN9 9EA.

For details, see www.utc-harbourside.org/events