In a visit to Cambridge Regional College, he said it was a "fantastic project" and would be a huge benefit to Cambridge and the surrounding area.

The minister was at the college to meet partners and sponsors of the innovative UTC, a new centre of excellence for biomedical and environmental science and technology which will open its doors to 14 to 19 year-olds in September 2014.

He said he was very impressed with the businesses and organisations behind the new college, the result of a partnership between Cambridge Regional College and Cambridge University Health Partners, and backed by leading organisations including Napp Pharmaceuticals, the Medical Research Council and the Babraham Institute.

"I think this is a fantastic project and I am really impressed with the number of groups who have come together in the local area to make it a reality," he said.

"This is a great example of co-operation. Young people in the area will have new high quality and vocational routes which would not be available to them if it were not for the UTC. It will be a huge benefit to Cambridge and the surrounding area."

The UTC, which will eventually be home to 670 14 to 19 year-olds, will be based in Cambridge, with a wide catchment area from across the region. It will specialise in teaching biomedical and environmental science and technology - addressing a key specialist skills need in Cambridgeshire.