A Government minister said he was 'proud' to offer disadvantaged children in Southampton a new way into the workplace as he unveiled plans to open a innovative college.

The University and Technical College (UTC) is set to open in September 2025 and will offer science, engineering, technology and mathematics subjects to students aged from 14-19 and aims to boost a lack of STEM skilled workers in the area.

Following a Government announcement yesterday morning, Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, officially unveiled the plans at an event in Portsmouth later that day.

READ MORE: Hedge End ice hockey player plays for England team

He said: "I have spoken to a number of students who will be taking courses at UTC Portsmouth, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds and it makes me proud to be offer the same opportunity for the young people of Southampton.

"These students are the future generation. They are building up the foundations to be well skilled, well payed and to be a credit to their local community.

"The learning offered by UTC is exactly the type of education that is going to bring UK in the the 21st century."

The UTC in Southampton will be one of 15 new free schools in what the Government described as 'some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country'.

It will be run by the UTC in Portsmouth, which opened to students in 2017.

It will be connected with local employers and offer courses based on local demand. These local employers include: Carnival Cruise Line, Associated British Ports and the NHS.

Royston Smith, MP for Southampton Itchen has been lobbying to get a UTC in Southampton and confirmed there would be a 'spade in the ground' by 2025, before he steps down.

He said: "We are currently working on finding the best location for UTC Southampton, and hope to open the doors to students by September 2025.

"I'm stepping down as Southampton Itchen MP at the next general election, so getting a spade in the ground for UTC Southampton [before then] is really important for me."

He added: "A UTC in Southampton is going to give children such access to opportunity. There is an ambition issue for many of the young people in Southampton and that is a real shame. Too many people are told they cant achieve their dreams - I've been working to change that."

James Doherty, principal of UTC Portsmouth said that UTC is not concerned with prior grades.

He continued: "If a student wants to explore STEM then this is the right place for them. Pupils get to choose to study here from the age of 14 - that's a really powerful motivator for young people.

"One key factor of a UTC is that it must meet the local areas skill demand, Southampton is crying out for STEM skills and this goes back to our strong relationships with local employers."