APPRENTICES can take advantage of a modern purpose-built training centre when it opens in September.

Oxford Energy Academy spent a year planning its new £50,000 apprentice complex at its premises in Swain Court, Witney.

The extension to its current centre will allow it to offer NVQ level one, two and three training for plumbers, gas and renewable energy apprentices.

The academy’s director, Chris Foley, said the centre was built to cope with demand for apprenticeship training in Oxfordshire.

He said: “It has been a massive investment. We have been working seven days a week for the last nine weeks to build it so it has been a major effort from all the staff.

“We had to do major building work to get it looking like a training centre.”

The academy opened the centre to public scrutiny at an open day last Tuesday.

It will allow training for up to 60 apprentices on courses which are due to start on Monday, September 3.

Mr Foley added: “It has meant we have doubled our workload and we have doubled our workforce to 11 staff.

“We are excited but apprehensive as well for September.”

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