A HIGH-tech company based at Malvern Hills Science Park is in the forefront of offering apprenticeships for young people as an alternative to university education.

At a special event on Friday, held to mark the launch of Phase Four of the park's development, Katherine Thompson, aged 19, an apprentice at technology company UTC, told how her apprenticeship was an ideal way for her to combine learning and employments experience.

"Everyone I knew was set to go to university, but no-one ever stopped to ask why they had to go," said Miss Thompson, 19, from Worcester, who had previously studied at Nunnery Wood school and Worcester Sixth Form College. "Apprenticeships were spoken of as something for people who couldn't get into university.

"But when I looked into apprenticeships, I found that there was a lot more to them than that."

She said her apprenticeship with UTC and the Worcester Group Training Association allows her to train on her real interest, computers, but also gives her that chance to develop diverse skills such as welding.

"UTC employs university graduates, but gives the same career opportunities to those of us who have decided the apprenticeship route is more appropriate," she said.

The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance division of UTC Aerospace Systems, which produces tools and software to enhance air and space photography for military and civilian applications, currently occupies existing buildings on the park.

But when Phase Four of the park, off Geraldine Road, is finished towards the end of the year, its 113 employees will move in. There is already a waiting list of high-tech companies eager to move into the space they vacate.

The new companies could bring up to 150 new jobs to Malvern, attracting between £1.3 million and £2 million into the local economy.

Liam Quinn of UTC said that apart from the apprenticeships, the company has already established links with local schools, such as the Code Clubs for youngsters at the Grove and Great Malvern primary schools.

It also has a good working relationship with Hanley Castle High School and the Chase School, its near neighbour.

"We're working really hard to grow the talent pool in Malvern and if we can work closely with the schools, that will be good for us and other local employers and for local people," he said.

Lucy Hodgson, the Chase ward representative on Worcestershire County Council, said: "We're delighted that companies like UTC recognise the importance of our local communities and are prepared to invest in them."