A PROMISED £1.6 million investment to boost training and skills in West Somerset was handed over this week.

EDF Energy, developers of the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, presented a cheque to the West Somerset Community College as part of a £5.7m package of funding linked to the project.

The payment, which coincides with the start of the second phase of preparatory works at the Hinkley site, will fund the construction of new facilities and is intended to open up training opportunities for young people, businesses and those seeking to develop new skills.

The lion's share - £1m - will be invested into a training and work-based programme.

Hinkley Enterprise will provide qualifications up to and including foundation degree level and support people wanting to start or develop a business.

Courses due to start this autumn will include hospitality, catering and event management, outdoor education, business and administration and retail and e-commerce.

The programme also aims to develop educational partnerships in the community and the college is already working with Stogursey Primary School.

A further £600,000 will fund Hinkley Ready, a vocational training programme for construction and other trades which will deliver apprenticeships, courses for unemployed people and further education initiatives to get local people ready for work opportunities at the Hinkley C station, which has yet to be given the green light by the Government.

This programme will focus on areas including carpentry, heating and ventilation, electrical and mechanical, environmental and laboratory testing, plant maintenance and hard and soft landscaping.

EDF's director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build Richard Mayson, said his company's education strategy was about getting people ready for work and jobs, as well as establishing a more entrepreneurial and supportive environment for people of all ages and abilities.

"This is an exciting project with the potential to transform communities," he said.

"It will raise aspirations and allow local people to get in the best possible position to secure employment when the time comes."

The funding was welcomed by college principal Nick Swann who said the additional facilities it would provide would give young people, businesses and the wider community access to a range of qualifications and training opportunities.

"This should provide a significant boost to the local economy," said Mr Swann.

West Somerset Council chief executive Adrian Dyer also welcomed the investment.

He said providing local students and businesses with the training and skills to maximise employment opportunities that would in turn benefit the local economy had been one of the key aims of the section 106 agreement negotiated and secured by the council in respect of the preparatory works for the Hinkley C project.

"We are delighted to see this investment in the West Somerset Community College," said Mr Dyer.

"Not only will it benefit students and local firms, it offers people out of work the chance to learn new skills to take advantage of future opportunities."