A PIONEERING development has opened at Cronton Sixth Form College in Widnes.

The Idea centre, part of a £9 million investment at the Cronton Lane site, is the first of its kind in the UK.

The state-of-the-art building has the most advanced industry equipment and learning methods.

Simon Reid, sector manager at the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said “This is truly a UK first, the idea of a cross-pollination of IT, digital, engineering and design skills to meet industrial and technical challenges under one roof. I think it’s truly ground breaking.”

Former Mayor of Halton Cllr Ged Philbin unveiled the new centre with a digital ribbon cutting in keeping with the futuristic technology.

Liverpool City Region metro mayor Steve Rotheram joined business employers at the opening ceremony.

Guests were given a guided tour of the facilities which include an advanced manufacturing workshop and suites specialising in digital and electronics, metrology suite, health and fitness, project management and 3D modelling.

The innovative training facilities prepare students for the trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.

The centre has been designed to enable young people on various courses to collaborate on projects to develop a multi-skilled workforce to meet the needs of employers.

Dr Phil Carroll from LPW Technology Limited said: “If I were a student again this is a place where I would like to be.

“One of the greatest challenges we face in the business is the recruitment and retention of skilled people.

“A centre like this is very useful and will be one of the catalysts for our company growth.”

New IT and computing facilities will allow students to develop virtual reality environments.

Collaboration between IT and engineering students will be encouraged through the development of artificial intelligence driven systems to program and operate robotic buggies.

Lesley Martin Wright, from Knowsley Chamber of Commerce, said: “I have been absolutely bowled over by what I have seen.

“This is modern technology at its best, a cutting edge and leading edge facility.”

Engineering students can study and develop realistic robotic solutions with industry standard technology.

Students can also develop skills in programmable logic controllers, pneumatics and hydraulic engineering using bespoke training rigs.