Royal Visit for the Elstree Film Studios

His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG will be visiting Elstree Film Studios in June to meet the Managing Director of the Studios Roger Morris, and key sponsors and personnel involved with the new Elstree University Technical College, due to open in September 2013.

His Royal Highness is a keen advocate of the University Technical Colleges initiative, which provides highly regarded, full time, technically-oriented courses of study to 14-18 year olds. Elstree UTC will specialise in vocational education for Film, Television and the Creative Arts careers.

Elstree Studios and the new Elstree UTC are both located near each other in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The Duke of York will meet supporters of the new Elstree UTC including leaders of Hertsmere Borough Council, Elstree UTC Principal Moira Green, the Vice Chancellor of Hertfordshire University, Dr Stephen Boffey and the Elstree UTC main sponsor David Meller.

His Royal Highness will attend a roundtable meeting at Elstree Studios with the Elstree UTC team, and Film and TV industry leaders from companies such as the BBC and Warner Brothers.

Elstree Studios and Borehamwood have been at the heart of film and television production for over 85 years. The first Star Wars films were made at Elstree Studios and Borehamwood was once called the British Hollywood. Therefore to have the first UTC dedicated to film, television and creative arts opening there is very special. The college will have its first intake of students in September.

The Duke of York hopes that more companies can be encouraged to become involved with UTCs as they will ultimately be an important employment resource in the future.

The film and television industry in the UK is worth many billions of pounds to the UK economy, the new Elstree UTC will endeavor to fill the skills shortage the industry may face in the future, giving young people a route to employment and a career in the film and television industry.