A NEW plumbing and gas centre in Wirral is tapping into training for traditional construction skills.

Wirral Metropolitan College has answered a call to local demand for training in plumbing and gas assessment skills by opening a purpose-built vocational skills development centre on Wirral International Business Park in Bromborough.

Wirral's mayor, Cllr Andrew Hodson, a former student of the college, officially opened the Plumbing and Gas Skills Academy, on the Lumina Park site, on Friday.

Joining him in unveiling a commemorative plaque were students Kevin Disley and Shaun McEvoy, chosen to recognise the most important people in the college’s business – its learners.

Kevin, 37, began retraining three years ago and now runs his own plumbing firm in Wallasey while 17-year-old Shaun joined the college last year on a scheme to explore all aspects of construction trades and was matched to plumbing studies.

College principal, Mike Potter CBE, said there had been great demand for plumbing qualifications in Wirral but not enough provision for training.

As a result, the college expanded the Construction Department at its Twelve Quays campus to the new site at Lumina Park, with staff and students working throughout the summer to convert the empty shell of a large industrial unit into a high quality training centre.

Students at the centre range in age from 14 to 60 and are involved in training from beginners up to NVQ Level 3 in plumbing, gas training/assessment, energy efficiency and water regulations.

Mr Potter said: "The new centre enables us to provide industry standard facilities that improve the breadth and depth of our learners' experiences and offers excellent provision for plumbing and gas assessment in line with Sector Skills Council requirements."