Providing cutting edge skills for the engineers and construction workers of the future is a cornerstone of the Assembly Government's plans to build a strong economy, First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said .

He was in the borough to officially open the new £5.2 million Engineering and Construction Centre at Yale Tertiary College, with half of the funding for the project coming from the Assembly Government.

Mr Morgan told assembled guests: "Excellent training facilities such as these provide a firm foundation for the future. I'm delighted to open this latest addition to Yale College’s impressive facilities that will be used to train students of all ages.


"Supporting skills academies in key manufacturing sectors is a commitment in the Assembly Government's One Wales programme. Yale College received financial support from the Assembly Government with the aim of improving learning facilities in identified priority areas.

"This development reflects the commitment of the College to ensure the people of Wrexham get the quality of learning facilities that they deserve said the First Minister. It demonstrates the realisation of the Assembly Government’s vision for learning.

"Construction and engineering skills are an area of high priority in Wales, and I'm delighted to see Yale responding positively to the demands of today’s labour market in north east Wales in providing a Centre of Excellence offering a wide range of vocational disciplines."

(CD/JM)