First Minister for Wales opens NEW £5M ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CENTRE at Yale College
The Right Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales, today officially opened Yale College’s new £5m Engineering and Construction Centre.
The opening ceremony was attended by students, staff and over 100 guests including senior ranking politicians and educational specialists who applauded as Rhodri Morgan unveiled the plaque.
Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the new Centre is the latest addition to the College’s impressive facilities and will be used to train students of all ages for high skilled jobs in engineering and construction.
Guests were given guided tours to view the new IT rich classrooms, restaurant and library facilities, leading through to workshops for computer aided design, precision engineering, automotive and construction crafts.
Yale College Principal Paul Croke said, “Staff at Yale College are excited to be part of this cutting edge development in post 14 facilities for Engineering and Construction training. The investment made by the Welsh Assembly Government indicates the exceptionally high regards with which they hold Yale College and our quest to deliver outstanding training which matches the best available in the UK.”
The Right Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales, said “Construction and engineering skills are an area of high priority in Wales, and I’m delighted to see Yale responding positively to the demands of today’s labour market in north east Wales in providing a Centre of Excellence offering a wide range of vocational disciplines.”
FIRST MINISTER OPENS £5m ENGINEERING CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
PROVIDING cutting edge skills for the engineers and construction workers of the future is a cornerstone of the Assembly Government’s plans to build a strong economy, First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said in Wrexham today.
He was in the borough to officially open the new £5.2 million Engineering and Construction Centre at Yale Tertiary College, with half of the funding for the project coming from the Assembly Government.
“Excellent training facilities such as these provide a firm foundation for the future,” Mr Morgan told assembled guests. “I’m delighted to open this latest addition to Yale College’s impressive facilities that will be used to train students of all ages.”
Supporting skills academies in key manufacturing sectors is a commitment in the Assembly Government’s One Wales programme. Yale College received financial support from the Assembly Government with the aim of improving learning facilities in identified priority areas.
“This development reflects the commitment of the College to ensure the people of Wrexham get the quality of learning facilities that they deserve,” said the First Minister. “It demonstrates the realisation of the Assembly Government’s vision for learning.
“Construction and engineering skills are an area of high priority in Wales, and I’m delighted to see Yale responding positively to the demands of today’s labour market in north east Wales in providing a Centre of Excellence offering a wide range of vocational disciplines.”
The First Minister highlighted the close links the College had forged with more than 200 local employers, showing the benefits of collaboration.
“They range from micro enterprises to large companies such as JCB, Scottish Power and Airbus,” he said. “The College is making an important contribution to Airbus development at Broughton by providing quality assurance training for all staff.”
The 14-19 Learning Pathways programme is at the heart of the Assembly Government’s strategy to provide the best possible opportunities for young people, and Yale College was a lead partner in the scheme.
“The work carried out at Yale exemplifies the sort of collaboration that is needed to ensure our young people fulfil their potential and contribute to the ongoing economic growth of Wales,” he said.
Notes for editors
Yale is a Tertiary College offering further and higher education opportunities to over 14,000 students each year, including 14-16 year olds, school leavers, adults and international students. It has one of the widest curriculum portfolios in Wales, and provides a state-of-the-art learning environment at its impressive campus in the heart of Wrexham.
For further information please contact Alan Morris on 029 2082 1870.
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