Coleg Gwent’s new Dennison Advanced Materials Centre (at the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone in Ebbw Vale) was recently opened by Economy Secretary Ken Skates (www.coleggwent.co.uk).

This facility — funded by the Welsh government — has four classrooms and will allow the college to introduce Wales’s first Advanced Composites Apprenticeship course in January next year.

It is named after the late Jon Dennison, a government liaison director at GKN Aerospace who was passionate about training young people in South Wales — particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Speaking at the opening — attended by world-leading engineering companies, including Zodiac Aerospace Ltd, GKN Aerospace and British Airways — Mr Skates said: “This fantastic centre will deliver the most up-to-date training available, enabling our young people to realise their full potential and access well-paid jobs with some of Wales’s premier manufacturing companies.

“It is a fitting tribute to Jon Dennison, who worked closely with the Welsh government in pursuit of his passion to help young people from all backgrounds realise their potential through careers in the aerospace industry.”

John Sexton, campus director at the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, said: “We’re thrilled to be the first college in Wales — and the fourth college in the UK — to offer students the Introduction to Composites course.

“We’ve been working closely with the National Composite Centre on the course content and required equipment, so students can be confident that they’re learning the latest techniques.”