Students and staff welcomed a Deputy Mayor of London to their college this week to cut the ribbon of a multi-million pound centre for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, officially opened the building in Waltham Forest College at a launch event attended by local employers, education providers and stakeholders on Tuesday.

The £4 million state-of-the-art development at the site in Forest Road, Walthamstow which boasts industry standard workshops and a science lab.

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Jules Pipe, pictured, praised the innovative project.

Mr Pipe, said: “I’m really encouraged by Waltham Forest College’s ambition and vision to equip more Londoners with the STEM skills this city so desperately needs.

“The Mayor and I are determined to do all we can to enable all Londoners, whatever their background, to share in the capital’s prosperity and fulfil their potential – and I look forward to continuing to work with the College to help create the workforce of the future.”

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Teachers will focus on skills development for STEM employment in fields such as nursing, midwifery, Motor Vehicle Engineering, railway engineering and technical textiles.

The project was made possible by funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA).

Principal Penny Wycherley said the workshops would ensure students have a “tremendous opportunity” to acquire the skills employers are looking for.

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“Waltham Forest College serves one of the most deprived and diverse communities in the country,” she said.

“This investment by the Mayor of London is prime example of well targeted efficient public investment that will benefit millions of people way into the future.”