Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET) has just opened a new satellite centre in Cinderford.

The new centre, which opened its doors yesterday (September 18), offers apprenticeship training in machining, maintenance, electrical/ electronics, metal fabricator and engineering fitter.

GET has been working with employers in the Forest of Dean for many years. But young people living in the Forest have found it increasingly difficult to commute to GET in Gloucester every day for their first year of training.

The new centre in Cinderford will support young people from the Forest of Dean who are keen to follow engineering as a career path, without the worry of travelling to Gloucester.

Warren Thomas, CEO of GET, said: "GET is conscious that there has been no engineering training support in the Forest for some considerable time, and we needed to resolve this.

"The demand is there in the Forest area; however, the challenge has always been the logistics of getting to Gloucester five days a week for the first year, due to learners not being able to drive."

The new centre will help reach the talent pool of young people in the Forest of Dean, who have been held back by the barrier of having to travel to Gloucester.

It will also help cut GET's carbon footprint by reducing travel by learners and staff.

Warre Thomas continued: "All the staff delivering at Cinderford will be local staff who are employed by GET and are passionate about supporting and developing the future engineers."

Training will provide the apprentices with the opportunity to progress to higher education, HNC and HND.

The centre also means GET can support skills and commercial training for local employers working with the young people and staff.