A MULTI-MILLION pound engineering block designed to train the next generation of skilled workers will bring businesses and high paid jobs to the region, according to the Education Secretary.
On a visit ahead of the official opening of Darlington College’s Ingenium Centre, Gillian Keegan said the facility was the “best she had seen”.
“I have been here at Darlington College at this new Ingenium Centre and it’s amazing,” she said during a visit with Darlington’s MP Peter Gibson.
“We have invested quite heavily in this college. It’s a new building. They have all the latest equipment, everything from virtual reality, electric vehicle maintenance, robotics. I have met many, many T-Level students as well.
“It is fantastic to see all that investment in action. Young people in the North-East are getting the opportunity to prepare for the jobs of the future.”
She said she visited a lot of colleges around the country adding: “The latest in virtual reality is the best I have seen. To see the investment come to life is fantastic. It’s the latest skills as well so all of the jobs they will be able to get from what they have learned here are absolutely going to be really highly paid and really high quality.
“These skills will attract businesses and I’d like to thank everyone for everything they are doing in the area – you are transforming it.”
Darlington College’s principal Kate Roe said she was thrilled to welcome the Education Secretary to see the pioneering working being carried out.
She said: “Investments like these are crucial when demand is so high for a skilled workforce. This new facility has given us an important opportunity to meet the needs of employers in the region for a skilled and highly motivated staff.”
The centre has been constructed behind existing facilities at the college campus off Haughton Road. The ground floor features two advanced engineering workshops, with classrooms upstairs.
It will allow the college to develop further its engineering courses, which range from the new T-level, up to level 5 and higher education qualifications such as HNDs and HNCs. These qualifications can be used to access apprenticeships and degree courses.
The college is also using the facilities to develop learning around the fast growing sector of electric vehicles with the installation of specialist training riggs.
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.