A new £10 million Technology, Engineering & Construction Centre has been formally opened in South London by TV presenter George Clarke.

Based at Carshalton College, the TEC Centre has been constructed in order to consolidate the motor vehicle, engineering and construction curriculum areas into one central location for almost 1,000 students.

The site will provide state of the art workshops to deliver motor vehicle, carpentry, bricklaying, electrical, plastering and plumbing lessons to students.

Well known TV presenter, writer and architect George Clarke presented an inspiring speech to the assembled students, staff, dignitaries and businesses on being an ambassador for vocational teaching, while emphasising the importance of education.

He said that the TEC Centre is an excellent place for students to become the trade people of tomorrow.

Representatives from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) were also present at the opening of the site, and outlined the demand for this type of teaching resource, before visitors were toured around the workshops and visited an Employer Trade Fair.

Local schools sent year 10 and 11 students to attend the Trade Fair where they met employers and took part in sessions called ‘have a go’ at the TEC Centre.

Peter Mayhew-Smith, College Principal, said that the new TEC Centre will help transform the learning environment for its students, adding that they now have teaching spaces of the highest industry standard and huge scale equipment.

He believes that there are now vast opportunities for the students to immerse themselves in the trades and crafts that they are passionate about.

Mr Mayhew-Smith also commented that the mechanics, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and builders of tomorrow will learn their trades and skills at the new centre starting from now, adding that he can’t wait to get the project up and running properly.

George Clarke has also recently been involved in the regeneration of his home city of Sunderland.