An apprenticeship training firm has opened a new engineering centre following a £500,000 investment.

JTL plans to begin offering heating and plumbing apprenticeships from the site later in the year.

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Winston Michael, formally opened the centre in front of a number of nearby employers who already have apprentices training at the centre, based on the Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate.

JTL chief executive Jon Graham said: “This centre in Ashford is an important step forward for us, and we’re delighted with the response the centre has already had from local employers and young people.

“This centre in Ashford, and the work we do at JTL across the country, is all about building futures and changing lives of our learners."

JTL has several training centres nationally, including in Maidstone and Orpington.

Cllr Michael said: “I am passionate about helping young people, and apprenticeships are vital in today’s society to provide real, meaningful career opportunities for our young people locally, and across the UK.

“JTL is already delivering life-changing opportunities for young people in Kent through its centres in Orpington, Maidstone and now here in Ashford.

"It was a pleasure to be able to be a part of the opening and to meet many of the inspiring apprentices and the JTL staff who will be running the centre. I wish everyone involved huge success.”