Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has published proposals to bring a £11.2m Engineering Centre of Excellence to its Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl Campus.
Currently in the pre-application phase, the new centre will become a hub for delivering world-class education and training for the engineering sector.
The centre will enable learners to develop skills supporting the future needs of industry, including those critical to the renewable energy sector, additive manufacturing and the digital transformation of industry.
A new Institute for Renewable Energy Technology will be part of the new development providing the opportunity for learners from across the region to upskill, retrain and be part of this sector which is set to grow exponentially. This development has been supported by the international company RWE Renewables who manage many renewable energy sites across the UK.
Local school pupils will also be able to access the centre to get a head start in their training for jobs of the future.
Lawrence Wood, Coleg Llandrillo Principal said: “This new development will significantly enhance our Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl Campus. It will provide learners in the region the ability to learn and train on the latest technology in a state-of-the-art learning environment, this will stand them in good stead to pursue well-paid careers in industries such as power generation, engineering and advanced manufacturing.
“My vision for this centre is that it operates in partnership with industry providing people with the skills required to support economic growth and innovation in the sector in North Wales.”
Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “I welcome these proposals for Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl Campus which aim to offer a world-class education in engineering to support a host of industries across North Wales, including the renewable energy sector.
“Providing learners in the region with the very best education facilities and opportunities enables them to develop careers and provides industry with well-trained employees which helps grow our economy here in North Wales.”
The proposed Centre of Excellence at the Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl Campus will replicate Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s highly acclaimed Canolfan STeM in Llangefni, which was launched by First Minister, Mark Drakeford, in 2019.
It 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.
Other proposals, including the relocation of the Bangor campus to Parc Menai in Gwynedd, are also currently going through the planning process.
Dafydd Evans, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Chief Executive explained: “Our modernisation plans are closely aligned with the priority growth sectors identified by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.
“Developing additional Centres of Excellence in key locations, such as Rhyl and Bangor, will allow us to further refine our bespoke, industry-targeted provision to improve our learners’ career prospects and support the wider economy.”
