THE MINISTER for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning paid her first visit to Anglesey's Coleg Menai site this week.

On Monday, Eluned Morgan visited the Llangefni campus, where she saw first-hand the progress that is being made on the construction of the brand new Engineering Centre.

The construction of a new centre has been made possible by the contribution of £6.8m from the Welsh Government, with further investment from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority/Magnox, Horizon Nuclear Power and Grwp Llandrillo Menai itself.

The minister met with Dafydd Evans, CEO of Grwp Llandrillo Menai and Dr Ian Rees, Grwp executive director of business development.

They discussed the work Grwp Llandrillo Menai is doing to ensure that local people have the skills and qualifications they need to access quality employment in the area’s developing energy industries.

The Minister was especially interested in hearing about Horizon Nuclear Power’s apprenticeship scheme which already employs 21 talented youngsters, all of whom study at Coleg Menai.

“It was a pleasure to visit Grwp Llandrillo Menai’s Llangefni campus and to see their new engineering centre." The Minister said.

"It is one example of the work the college is doing to ensure the local population have the skills to take advantage of the job opportunities that Wylfa Newydd and other employers in the area will bring.

"It will also ensure that local employers can find the skilled workers they need in their own community.

“I am in the middle of visiting all the FE colleges in Wales and so far I have been very impressed with the students and staff I’ve met and the facilities I’ve seen."