An advanced training centre focusing on manufacturing and engineering is heading to a Warrington college following a successful launch at its Winsford campus.

Warrington and Vale Royal College will opening the advanced manufacturing and engineering training (AMET) centre in the town this September.

According to research carried out by Prospects - experts in graduate careers - there is a sector-wide skills shortage meaning that trainees will have ample job opportunities once they are qualified.

Engineering and manufacturing is one of the UK’s biggest growing sectors with almost 5.7million people, which accounts for just over 19 per cent of UK employment.

The new AMET Centre has been partially funded by a grant of £656,000 from Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and, thanks to support from employers, it will be fitted out with a range of specialist equipment designed for measuring, testing and analysis.

It will support and train students in applying smarter manufacturing techniques and industrial digital technologies (IDTs) such as robotics, industrial control and digital intelligence, with a focus on mechatronics and metrology in Warrington, and work closely with employers who want to recruit new employees or train existing members of staff.

To register for an apprenticeship scheme visit apprenticeships@wvr.ac.uk.