CONSTRUCTION of Andover College’s new multi-million Future Skills Centre is due to start in October.

The college has been given the green light by Test Valley Borough Council’s planners to start work on the £3.9million, 2,090sq metre centre.

The project will be delivered as a partnership between Andover College, Enterprise M3 local Economic Partnership, Hampshire County Council, TVBC and local employers.

Its focus will be on the training of school leavers and apprentices in construction, motor mechanics and engineering.

Adding to the existing building and carpentry skills, the facility will see the introduction of electrical training in Andover for the first time.

Engineering training is also being introduced in response to local business requirements.

College Principal Tim Jackson said: “This will further enhance the reputation of Andover College as a trusted provider for both academic and skills training. The Future Skills Centre will provide students with access to great facilities to provide the education and training our local economy needs.

“We see this as a community endeavour and will be working with local schools and local businesses to ensure we all contribute to the all-important STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) agenda.”