…Never thought I’d say that but, having attended last week’s public launch of the Salisbury University Technical College (UTC), it seems to be every teenager’s dream.

OK, the hours are longer than ordinary schools (8-30am till 5-00pm for 40 weeks of the year), but that’s no great hardship bearing in mind what they’ll be getting – which is real preparation for real work.

The expertise that will be available from sponsoring companies is impressive. Engineering know-how from QinetiQ, science from Public Health England, leadership training from the army to say nothing of the experience and inspiration which will be offered by the various other firms involved. There’ll be pre-apprenticeship courses for youngsters taking that route, or for those aiming for higher education GCSE students can add diplomas in engineering or applied science.

The catchment area radius of 20 miles embraces 46 target schools, and the UTC is now talking to transport companies about bus and train connections for the large number of students expected to come from outside Salisbury.

We still don’t yet know which of two sites will be chosen, but it will apparently be within easy walking distance from the station.

One or two questions remained unanswered during the Guildhall presentation. You can’t help wondering where they’ll find the qualified teachers who may find the working hours unattractive. There was some uncertainty about pastoral care. And is there going to be cherry-picking, with the UTC targeting the star pupils of the sixth form at Sarum Academy and that now planned for Laverstock?

The UTC insists there’s no problem, and says it’s contacting every school in the area to discuss ways of co-operating while offering something that’s completely different. As Gordon Aitken of the college said: “We need new choices for young people, not just more of the same.”

• John McCarthy gave a fascinating talk to a packed Salisbury Festival audience at the Playhouse on Tuesday morning. It’s amazing how someone who suffered such a horrendous ordeal for five years is such a well-adjusted and personable man, and moreover one who still loves the Middle East.

The subject of his talk was the plight of Israeli Palestinians, and there were certainly some amongst the audience who felt his was a one-sided presentation. On the other hand there aren't many who speak up on the Palestinians' behalf. In McCarthy they have an eloquent and persuasive champion.

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