STUDENTS thinking of college courses in construction trades and engineering in September can find out what to expect at a taster session at Great Yarmouth College.

STUDENTS thinking of college courses in construction trades and engineering in September can find out what to expect at a taster session at Great Yarmouth College.

On Thursday, April 29 between 4.30pm and 8pm the session will give pupils the chance to witness first hand the workshops and equipment in the new �6 million Centre for Construction and Manufacturing Technologies.

More than 500 students learn construction crafts - brickwork, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, painting and decorating and electrical installation - in the new centre, which opened in January.

Daniel O'Callaghan, head of centre for construction and manufacturing technologies and engineering, said: "The boom in the construction industry in recent years attracted new students.

“Although we are now in a recession new students can take heart from the fact that there is invariably a skills shortage when you come out of recession because of older people retiring."

Students at the centre range form school leavers to mature students switching careers in mid-life.

Facilities at the centre include interactive white boards, an IT suite, locker rooms attached to every workshop, a staff room and a canteen with seating for 90 people.

The centre, which incorporates such green technologies as solar panels to pre-heat water for central heating and rainwater harvesting to flush toilets and clean workshop sinks, was built a response to the significant increase in students opting to learn trades at the college.

To book a place on any of the sessions contact 01493 419213.