HRH the Duke of York was guest of honour at MediaCityUK鈥檚 University Technical College on its #ThinkUTC talent and skills day.
Prince Andrew met with talented students from across Manchester and was treated to a showcase of the North West鈥檚 tech potential in Salford on Friday.
鈥淭his UTC is like no other I have visited. The skills you are delivering to students are preparing them to such an advanced level that they may not go to university, but straight into employment,鈥� HRH said.
鈥淭he success of this UTC is due to you having chosen this college where you feel you can make decisions about your learning. Here you do not feel like your ideas are met with a no.鈥�
UTC MediaCityUK,聽which opened in September 2015, is a college for 14-18 year olds who have a passion for shaping digital and creative content.
Students study a mixture of academic GCSEs, A-levels and technical qualifications as well as getting hands-on, practical experience in specialist pathways such as TV & Film, Graphics & Design, Radio & Audio, and Interactive Media & Gaming.
Its principal Sharon Gardner said: 鈥淚n our second year, it is fantastic to celebrate the talent and skills being developed here with our students.
鈥淰isitors, partners and sponsors have all been impressed by the level of technical skill, maturity and creativity at work.
鈥淭estament to this is that we have Year 13 students with offers from prestigious university departments, including an offer from Oxford University.鈥�
Prince Andrew met students studying in each of the UTC鈥檚 pathways during his tour of the state-of-the-art facilities at the college.
He also met the UTC鈥檚 sponsors the University of Salford, the Lowry and Aldridge Education, and Charles Parker from the Baker Dearing Trust, founders of the UTC movement nationally.
Matt Tiplady, a year 13 student, said: 鈥淚t was great opportunity for us to showcase our work to our partners and also employers in the Manchester digital community through the attention HRH the Duke of York鈥檚 visit has received.鈥�
James Medd of local business hub The Landing said: 鈥淲orking with these young people has been a joy, their enthusiasm for the different work we have done with them has been infectious.
鈥淭hey are a credit to their teachers and college. We were very proud to be able to present our work with them to His Royal Highness.鈥�