New £2million Engineering facilities at Nelson and Colne College are set to be showcased to East Lancashire employers and VIPs at a special launch event.
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has invested £1.4m into the impressive skills facility, which includes a unique subsonic wind tunnel, fully equipped workshops with the latest rapid prototype technology and software, and CNC machinery.
On Tuesday 19th January between 5.30pm and 7pm, guests will be given chance to explore the site, which also includes an innovation laboratory and 3D printing and manufacturing area, and take part in demonstrations with students.
Principal of Nelson and Colne College and chair of the LEP Skills Board Amanda Melton, who is set to give the opening speech on the night, said: “We are thrilled that such a huge investment has been made to our Engineering department, and are so grateful for the support shown by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. By providing students with the highest quality facilities and experience, we are able to ensure they have the right skills and confidence to be career ready when they leave NCC.
“We are looking forward to welcoming industry professionals into the new department and seeing how we can continue to work with local companies and build successful relationships in the future.
“Engineering is a rapidly growing sector, with 2.56 million job openings predicted in the industry by 2022. For anybody looking to join such an exciting sector, then now is the perfect time to enrol at Nelson and Colne College – where expert tutors can help students achieve their aspirations in a modern and exciting environment.”
The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is investing £30m in creating top-quality facilities across the county which will offer extra training places and apprenticeships in key sectors of the local economy.
Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director of the Lancashire Skills Hub, said: “This is the first of a number of modern, well-equipped training facilities funded by the LEP which will open over the next two or three years.
“Together, they will transform the job prospects of thousands of local people and help provide the skilled workers employers say they need to grow.
“This initiative is an important part of our ambitious strategic growth programme which will boost the local economy by £3bn and create tens of thousands of extra jobs over the next decade.”
Nelson and Colne College offers Engineering as a vocational programme and apprenticeship for students at school, college or University level. Many students have progressed to top Universities and successful careers. These include Amy Crawshaw, who achieved a triple distinction* in her BTEC Extended Diploma, before leaving to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds.
For more information about studying Engineering at Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440217.
