NEW college facilities, including a robotics automation training facility, electric vehicle workshop, technical support lab and a business hub for professional qualifications, are to set open up a host of opportunities for apprentices.

Work is well under way at Darlington College on a project that will train the next generation of hi-tech workers to meet a skills gap for national and local companies.

The move follows a successful bid for £2.695m by Darlington Borough Council and Darlington College from the Government’s Town Fund initiative. This came on the heels of a £600,000 grant to develop a business hub for professional qualifications.

Work on the business hub is nearing completion and a huge two-storey steel and glass engineering facility will be ready later this year.

Darlington College’s Marketing and Engagement Manager Claire Turner said: “It is fantastic to see the continued investment in facilities at Darlington College through both the Strategic Development and Towns Funds. This will enable us to support and train apprentices that will become our local talent of the future across a diverse number of businesses.

“This is not only a boon for school leavers, giving them the ideal venue for the next stage of their learning and career progression, but is also a bonus for local employers by providing a highly skilled and passionate workforce on their doorsteps in order for their businesses to flourish.”

The latest project will see the construction of three new engineering environments – a a robotics automated production manufacturing line, a technical support workshop and an electric and hybrid vehicle workshop.

The development will fill a skills gap caused by an ageing engineering population and the rapid onset of new technology based around robotics and the growth of electric vehicles.

It also will be instrumental in delivering T-Level qualifications in light vehicle and electric vehicle, mechanical and also mechatronics giving students the very best start to their working lives.

Curriculum manager for engineering, design, automotive and the arts Alan Jones said: “With these new facilities we will be able to support and introduce new technology into local businesses.”

He said robotics were becoming much more affordable for small and medium enterprise and the college would be supplying the essential training companies needed to maximise these new opportunities.

The college manufacturing and processing labs would introduce students and companies to the technical side of robotics and maintenance. On the coding side, off the shelf robots came with predisposed functions that the college training would help employers adapt to their specific needs, he added.

Workshops will also allow students to develop their fault finding and diagnostics skills, with training tailored to the needs of industry.

With the expected boom in full electric and hybrid vehicles over the coming ten years, the college development will also provide training rigs to work on the next generation of clean cars.

“Our new facilities will fit in perfectly with the emerging world green agenda, we are thrilled to be at the heart of this and grateful for the support we are receiving from local and national Government,” said Alan.

“This will allow us to ensure our apprentices are ready for the rapidly changing needs of industry at a time when engineering technical support is becoming a huge growth area that is appealing to men and women alike. This type of engineering engages well with younger students so this is an incredible opportunity for our local schools too.

“While our engineers will still need basic workshops skills, by investing in such a hi-tech facility, we are future-proofing the workforce for many years to come.”

The business hub will offer professional qualifications right across the chartered institutes, from level 2 to level 7 masters, in accountancy, procurement, management, project management and HR. It will be industry specific and the centre will transform how the college works with companies and public sector organisations.

Apprentices would be provided with a professional environment away from younger FE students, while senior business figures would benefit from being able to discuss their training requirements in a professional business centre. Transforming the existing Gateway area of college with flexible walls would provide study areas and meeting rooms and also a conference venue for busines-to-business events.

Leader of Darlington Borough Council and Towns Fund board member Heather Scott said: “Darlington has a proud history of standing at the forefront of the latest technologies and enterprise – the new facilities at Darlington College will support the next generation to enter exciting new industries and hopefully attract employers looking to take advantage of our well-trained workforce.”

The development comes at a time when the Government is moving six main departments from London to Darlington, including the Treasury.

Darlington College has been at the cutting edge of engineering for years offering HNCs, HNDs and apprenticeships on full- and part-time programmes. Over the past four years it has also successfully piloted the placement element of the new T-Levels. The college is due to deliver T-Levels in engineering and childcare from September.

For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.