Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn helped to open a new state-of-the-art training centre at Kirkby engineering company Van Elle.

He was joined by the MP for Ashfield, Gloria De Piero, and they also spoke to Van Elle’s workers and apprentices.

The Labour politicians also listened to their opinions on the learning experiences and the opportunities the training centre offers.

Gloria said “It was great to visit the wonderful Van Elle with Jeremy Corbyn.

“The workers and apprentices all spoke frankly about the issues affecting their lives, which was really important for us to hear.

“Listening to the good experiences that Van Elle’s apprentices are having was interesting and uplifting.

“Jeremy and I took a lot of useful information away with us from that conversation. Thank you to everyone at Van Elle for making us so welcome.”

Up-to-date construction based training courses, supported by an outdoor CPCS area and rail test track, are also now offered externally to companies and individuals as well as internally to Van Elle’s own staff.

Core training courses include CPCS, NPORS, NVQs, site safety plus, health and safety, first aid and driver CPC.

Van Elle senior group director Mick Mason said: “As well as self-delivering an even larger proportion of our internal training requirements, we are now able to offer training and assessment services externally to clients and other industry professionals.

“The training centre is a £1m investment to the company and showcases our commitment to making sure that the training needs of the Van Elle and construction industry’s workforce are met.”