SKIPTON Building Society’s chief executive David Cutter performed the official opening of the new ‘Employer Hub’ at Skipton’s Auction Mart.

Craven College Apprenticeships and Tyro Training, the college’s commercial training division, have combined to open the newly refurbished premises which provide rooms and equipment for the delivery of training for businesses and apprentices.

Those using the Hub will also benefit from extensive car parking and an in-house cafe.

The official opening ceremony also coincided with farewells to Craven College’s departing principal Robert Bellfield, who had a long-held plan to move Tyro Training to the auction mart from the centre of Skipton, with the aim of making the college more efficient by gradually reducing the number of campuses maintaining the breadth of courses.

Mr Bellfield, who was principal for more than seven years, spent 36 years in further education.

Lindsey Daniels, Tyro Training’s director of business and community development, outlined its vision for the future to representatives of local businesses.

She said:”Working with employers is key to everything that we do at Craven College, not only for the training courses that we can provide but also to support apprenticeships.

“We are constantly developing our network of employers to make our curriculum for students more engaging through work experience and visiting speakers. Our new premises with professional training facilities closer to the main Aireville Campus will help us to really extend our network of industry contacts.”

The college’s new principal is Andrew Cropley, who was previously executive director for planning at The Sheffield College and at colleges in Stratford-on-Avon and Solihull.