STUDENTS have toured a new £6 million construction centre ahead of its opening at York College next month.

The Construction Skills Centre on the Sim Balk Lane campus is awaiting its first intake of pupils in brickwork, joinery and plastering courses when the new term gets underway.

Those shown around the building saw the facilities which will shortly be available to them, including two separate workshops for brickwork and joinery, changing facilities for staff and students and a first floor IT suite.

Ben Crossfield, 16, from Huntington School, has enrolled on a bricklaying course.

He said: "I heard about the new building and now I’ve seen it for myself I think the facilities look great.

"I’m really excited about moving onto college."

The students were also introduced to stonemasonry apprentice Sam Turner, who recently returned from the WorldSkills 2015 competition in Brazil after picking up the bronze medal for Architectural Stonemasonry.

He said: "It’s a fabulous learning environment. It’s well equipped, light and airy with plenty of space.

"Anyone training here will be part of the whole college experience too, which is a big improvement.

"While at college I was entered for the regional UKSkills heats, at that time I didn’t imagine I would end up as a medallist at WorldSkills. Being in the UK Squad was really hard work, but it paid off.

"I realise how important it is to gain the right skills and to have a trade."

Kevin Clancy, head of division for construction at York College, said: "Students currently enrolling on our construction courses are very fortunate to be learning in this fantastic new state-of-the-art building.

"There are still places available on a range of courses starting this September and this centre will meet the needs of our students at a time when there is a skills shortage in our region."