A consultancy firm has been appointed to aid the development of University Technical Colleges (UTCs).

Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) as technical advisor for the development of 16 UTCs, which offer 14 to 19 year-olds the opportunity to take a technical course of study at a specialist college.

The scheme will include both new builds and refurbishment and will cost up to £10 million per project.

Mott MacDonald will provide full technical advisory services to each UTC scheme including appraisal of sites and buildings, co-ordination of surveys and the development of feasibility studies. Their involvement is due to be completed in 2014.

The consultancy will also support the UTC and its sponsors through the procurement stages to appoint a design and build contractor through the PfS Contractors’ Framework.

Project director Ashley Taylor said: “UTCs provide students with a high quality practical and academic education to help them develop into highly skilled technicians working in professions vital to the economy.

“Mott MacDonald will support each project with local teams while our key staff as chartered engineers will provide the technical understanding needed for this role.”