Rhyl’s New Engineering Centre Opened by First Minister
Coleg Llandrillo’s brand new Engineering Centre of Excellence was officially opened by First Minister Mark Drakeford yesterday (Wednesday, February 21st).
The Rhyl Engineering Centre is a state-of-the-art, three-floor facility spanning 3000m², featuring a comprehensive range of highly specialised training equipment valued at over £2 million. From robotics and rapid prototyping to industrial-scale CNC machines, the facility is equipped to offer a world-class learning experience.
Funded by the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, the £12 million development will equip people in the region with the skills required for prosperous careers within the field of engineering, including in the growing renewable energy industry.
A standout aspect of this transformative development is the establishment of a renewable energy technology training facility, a collaborative effort with the renowned international company RWE, the UK’s leading electricity generator, which operates 10 offshore wind farms and is developing a further nine. Notably, the centre boasts a distinctive industrial-scale wind turbine servicing and maintenance hall, showcasing the commitment to advancing renewable energy education and innovation.
RWE has a longstanding relationship with the college, having established its wind technician apprentice programme and national apprentice training hub at the facility in 2012. Apprentices from around the country are supported through the hub, and have gone on to secure roles with the company’s wind fleet both onshore and offshore, including in North Wales.
Tom Glover, RWE’s UK Country Chair, said: “Renewable energy is set to create thousands of jobs in the coming years, with many required in the onshore and offshore wind sectors. A skilled workforce will be essential to support the growing green economy and RWE projects such as the nearby Awel y MôrOffshore Wind Farm, potentially the largest investment in renewables in Wales this decade.
“This valued partnership with Coleg Llandrillo also serves to strengthen RWE’s roots in Wales, where we also have an onshore wind development pipeline totalling 600MW, including the nearby Alwen Forest and Gaerwen projects. Apprentices from the college will have the opportunity to work on RWE's projects across the UK and beyond”
First Minister Mark Drakeford said,
“I’m really pleased the Welsh Government has been able to provide funding for the new Engineering Centre, which will help equip local people with the skills and qualifications they need to ensure the competitiveness of North Wales in an important growth industry.
“North Wales not only has the physical resources to support sustainable economic opportunities, it also has the workforce potential. Offshore wind is vital for the long term energy needs of Wales and the UK and the college is in a strong position to deliver the wide range of skills needed by our low carbon energy industries.
“The state of the art facilities will enable the students and apprentices to use the best technology within a comfortable, modern environment. I would like to wish the staff and learners all the success for the future.”
The Centre of Excellence at the Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl Campus is part of a wider, Grŵp-wide £90m strategy to modernise its education and training facilities, with the establishment of high-quality Centres of Excellence at the heart of that strategy.
Dafydd Evans, Chief Executive of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said,
“It is with great pride that we open this prestigious centre, developed in partnership with industry. Its focus on renewables will be invaluable to the welsh economy and hopefully a real catalyst to the Rhyl economy. Another major step forward to be creating world class training facilities across North Wales”
To find out more about Engineering courses available at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, please visit gllm.ac.uk/engineering
