A new apprentice training facility has been launched by an electrical and mechanical contractor to mark National Apprenticeship Week.

Oxford's Lowe & Oliver has launched the 'centre for excellence' after investing thousands of pounds into its development.

The facility has the capacity to teach the firm's approximate 30 apprentices as well as dozens more from central and southern England.

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The centre comprises six specialized bays - five allocated for electrical and one for mechanical training, equipped with demo tools simulating a real-world environment.

Additionally, a dedicated classroom and other essential facilities back-up learning both with and away from the tools.

Lowe & Oliver director, Fred Lowe, said: "We're delighted to have this centre up and running, with our year one apprentices already on location.

"The skills shortage is a crisis which is only growing, and we are determined to play our part in helping to develop the next generation of engineers.

"We’re all looking forward to our apprentices taking full advantage of having such an advanced facility on their doorstep, and are hoping to bolster those numbers throughout 2024 by bringing in more apprentices than ever before from local schools and colleges.”

Chairman, Paul Tuson, added: "Our skills centre has been manufactured for both the practical and technical development of our apprentices - following the curriculum of the Electrical and Mechanical traditional apprenticeship under the NVQ Level 2, 3 and above, supported by the JIB, JTL and BESA."