A BRAND new skills centre at Okehampton College is giving young people the chance to learn vocational skills for their future careers.

The college has been running practical courses in construction since 2009, but the new £500,000 building has dramatically improved facilities and allowed the development of more courses and opportunities.

The centre contains a large central workshop — complete with workbenches, tools and safety gear — as well as an ICT suite and classrooms where students are taught some of the theoretical content of the course.

There are also changing rooms and showers, alongside a kitchen. With no heating and shutters on the side of the building, students are able to study and develop their skills in the same conditions they may one day be working in for real.

Diploma co-ordinator Phil Orton said: 'The facility really is second to none.

'It's something we've really been wanting for a very long time. Previously, we were teaching these diplomas in a marquee out on the main quadrangle, so to actually have a purpose-built facility is just brilliant.'

Two different types of course are currently available at the centre.

In Year 10, students can choose to take a BTEC Level 2 in Construction, which is equivalent to two GCSEs, or to take the Level 2 Higher Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, which is equivalent to seven GCSEs. The courses are both completed alongside other essential GCSE modules, including English and Maths. Year 12 students can also opt to take the Level 2 Higher Diploma.

From 2012, Year 12 students will also be able to opt for the Level 3 Advanced Diploma, which will be equivalent to 3.5 A levels.

Throughout the courses, students learn how the built environment was designed and constructed, how it is used, and how it affects people and communities.

The diploma opens up a number of possible avenues of work to the students, including building, architecture and town planning.

Phil Orton said: 'The diploma system is a different type of learning, because it's much more related to the place of work. We put the emphasis on practical work, because that's where particularly boys do most of their learning.

'Nationwide over the past few years we've seen concern about under-achieving boys in schools, and hopefully this new centre will go some way towards counteracting that.

'This kind of work is a great leveler, because young people who struggle academically can succeed with this type of work, and once they know they can succeed, their self esteem goes through the roof.'

'Here we have the next generation of builders.

'Some of them may not go into construction as a trade, but at least they've learnt valuable skills they can use for the rest of their lives. If they want to put up a shed in the garden, they can do all the foundation work themselves. These skills are never going to be wasted.

'We're working closely with Jewson, who have been brilliant in donating all the safety equipment we need, but they also come in on a regular basis to see what we're doing and lend some of their expertise.

'We're hoping to get other firms involved in the near future.'

Alex Hardy, who hopes to work for Southeastern Railways in Sussex once he has completed his Level 2 diploma, said: 'The new building is brilliant, it's exactly what we need.

'Before this, we were working in a marquee and a shed, and it was falling apart. This is absolutely amazing. It's just what we need.

'I've always known what I want to do, but this building and course has made it possible.'

Richard Stevens hopes to stay in the Okehampton area and build a career as a dry stone waller.

He said: 'The facilities in the building are amazing. I want to go into stone walling, and I've been able to practice that here, which is ideal.'

The building will be officially opened on February 14, and diploma co-ordinator Phil Orton says the day will be important in the success of the building and courses.

'We want to expand the number of people we work with, and we'll be inviting local firms along to see what we can do to help them, and indeed what they can do to help us. They may be able to provide work placements, and of course their expertise, which would be invaluable. In return, we are providing for them the workforce of the future.'