BUILDERS, carpenters and joiners of the future can learn their trade at Bury College’s new Construction Skills Centre.

It was officially opened by Jean Llewellyn OBE, chief executive of the National Skills Academy Nuclear, in a ceremony attended by more than 50 guests, including the Mayor Of Bury, Councillor Joan Grimshaw.

There was also a bricklaying competition for pupils from St Monica’s RC High School, in Prestwich, and Siddal Moor Sports College, in Heywood, who teamed up with college students.

The centre is the latest addition to the college’s campus, which has seen more than £40 million of investment in recent years.

It will allow the college to offer new vocational courses and apprenticeships, including bricklaying, plastering, carpentry and joinery.

It is equipped with the latest industry-standard tools, equipment and machinery.

Principal Charlie Deane said: “The opening of our new centre is an exciting addition to our campus and makes the college’s vocational provision stronger than ever.

“Together with our existing applied engineering and technology centres, we can now provide a wealth of courses that are focussed on employability and the workforce of the future — making sure that training is relevant to employers’ needs.”

The college will officially open another new building in the new year — a five-storey extension to the Woodbury Centre providing a new learning resource centre and library, art studios and IT resources.