Nottingham College opening new engineering centre

The centre has three workshops and will initially cater for more than 300 apprentices

A centre designed to train a new generation of electricians and engineers, which cost more than £1m, is opening.

Nottingham College is launching the new Engineering and Electrical Centre at its Ruddington campus.

It has four classrooms, workshops and a testing laboratory with an initial capacity of more than 300 apprentices.

The college said the significant investment had been driven by industry demands for engineers in manufacturing, electrical sustainability and renewable energy.

Ken Hale and Lindsey Smith from Nottingham College have overseen the creation of the centre

Leaders at the college said they hoped the centre would become a regional hub for skills in this sector.

Lindsey Smith, assistant principal for apprenticeships, said: "It is really exciting for us because we have been working closely with employers to bridge the skills gap in this area.

"We are developing apprenticeship courses which meet their specific needs, which means we can keep up-to-date with the new jobs while replacing an aging workforce."

Ms Smith said the move towards the electrification of cars was producing demand for new skills like fitting vehicle charge points.

'Bridge skills gap'

And since there were no age limits on apprenticeships, the courses were available to a wide number of people.

Ms Smith said: "It means we can provide dedicated space and dedicated training cycles in the responsive way employers need.

"It will offer the freedom and flexibility for people to come to the centre and train in week blocks which might be more appropriate to their employment."

Chris Corkan, from manufacturers organisation Make UK, said: "Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of manufacturing.

"Facilities like Nottingham College's new Engineering and Electrical Centre are exactly what the UK needs to meet the sector's growing demand for skilled engineers and electrical technicians."

A ceremony will be held on Wednesday with Nottingham College CEO Janet Smith taking businesses on a tour of the facility.