TEENAGERS who want to learn a trade are being offered places at a new vocational education centre.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly will officially open the Power Wave Skills Centre at Rivington View Business Park off Station Road, Blackrod, on Friday.

It will offer training to young people interested in learning skills such as joinery, tiling, flooring, plastering and bricklaying. There will also be training in and health and safety.

Schools will take pupils to the centre during the week. Children who attend after-school sessions will have to make their own way to the centre.

The only stipulation is that they have to come from MP Ruth Kellys Bolton West constituency.

Students will be able to gain formal qualifications in Health and Safety and Introductory Bricklaying and also train for BTECs in the Built Environment. Qualifications in adult literacy and numeracy can also be obtained.

The project is a joint initiative involving The Brook Learning Partnership, which is made up of Rivington and Blackrod High School, Ladybridge High School, and the other schools in Bolton West.

Tony Purcell, principal at Rivington and Blackrod High School, said: "The Power Wave Skills Centre is providing real learning opportunities for students across the west of Bolton. The enthusiasm, commitment and progress of the young people on the various programmes are fantastic.

"It just confirms that when you match skills and interest with opportunity, all young people can succeed."

All students will get industry experience and have the chance to secure a place on the centres work experience programme.

Pupils will be supported both at the centre and back at school by youth workers, counsellors and teachers.

They will also have access to Youth Express, the youth project which runs in Horwich, to help students out of school hours.