AM opens new Skills Centre

From the archive, first published Thursday 19th Jan 2006.

A NEW skills centre aimed at helping young people find work has been opened in one of Pembrokeshire's most socially deprived areas.

Welsh Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Jane Davidson, officially opened the new Skills Centre in Neyland on Monday.

Developed by Pembrokeshire County Council on the site of a former local authority brickworks, the centre is one of the first in Wales and targets disaffected young people between the ages of 14 and 16.

It includes a state-of-the-art vehicle workshop where students can hone their skills in motor vehicle engineering as well as engineering in general. It also houses a training kitchen, IT suite and two classrooms.

The new centre gives youngsters the opportunity to acquire a range of skills and enables them to work towards gaining NVQs and other qualifications, which will lead to employment opportunities.

The minister was introduced by the chairman of the county council, Councillor Clive Collins.

She told guests: "This project is the very ethos of what the Welsh Assembly Government is trying to achieve through the 14 -19 Learning Pathways agenda and I am pleased to say that Pembrokeshire is ahead of the game."

The minister emphasised that the Assembly was committed to transforming 14 - 19 provision for Wales which depended on achieving a balance between national and local developments working in the spirit of partnership.

Ms Davidson added: "More than this, this project offers a chance for these young people to find their self-esteem and self-confidence that can only enhance their chances of finding sustainable local employment opportunities. That can only be good thing for the local community."

After unveiling a plaque, the minister was given a guided tour of the centre accompanied by its manager, Adam Gent.

The council's partners in the project include Communities First, Dyfed Powys Police. Job Centre Plus and Careers Wales West, as well as a number of private training providers.

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