Some of the most famous international businesses are backing the government's roll-out of University Technical Colleges (UTCs).

Employers have for many years argued that they are struggling to find workers with the required technical expertise. While some can always opt to go abroad to find skilled employees, this does the UK's labour market no favours at all.

The government has therefore been aiming to open 24 UTCs by 2014 to ensure people are equipped with skills that can open up a wide array of career options to them.

According to the Department for Education, the government is currently on track to beat its target. Indeed, 15 UTCs have been approved this week and will open in 2013 and 2014. Some 17 institutions have already received the required approval and are gearing up to open either at the beginning of the next academic year or in the following September.

The latest wave of UTCs are based all over the country and 200 major businesses will be directly involved in each one. Virgin Atlantic is among the well-known brands taking part in the programme, along with British Airways and Jaguar Land Rover.

Since such a wide variety of businesses are getting involved, an equally broad selection of technical skills will be developed. For instance, a UTC at MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester will focus on skills that could be useful in the creative and digital industries.

Meanwhile, aviation engineering will be the priority at Heathrow Aviation Engineering UTC, while UTC Cambridge will specialise in environmental and biomedical science and technologies.

Lord Hill, the schools minister, commented: "I am very pleased to be announcing another wave of strong UTC proposals.

"Right around the country, there is a lot of enthusiasm from employers, universities, pupils and patients for high quality technical education.

"The response from employers to UTCs speaks for itself."

Lord Hill added that the colleges will open up more choice for young people and enable the country to deliver the "kind of highly skilled technicians" that the economy needs at the moment.