THE Prime Minister David Cameron visited Halesowen College to announce a brand new £3million 1,300 square metre Advanced Science, Engineering and Technology Skills Centre at Coombs Wood Business Park.

The PM was in the region to launch the new Growth Deal which will see millions pumped into Birmingham and the Black Country to improve the area's economic fortunes.

The new skills centre will create 250 higher level apprenticeships to help local businesses employ skilled employees.

Halesowen-based Sterling Power Group will provide the training facilities and other local companies will be involved too.

The Prime Minister, who spoke to students at the college, said: “Growth Deals are a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain’s future.

"For too long our economy has been too London-focused and too centralised. Growth Deals will help change all that.

"They are about firing up our great towns and cities, boosting local economies and driving growth across the country."

He added: "This historic deal means real change with exciting plans for the Black Country including better transport links for both road and rail, building hundreds more homes and helping to give people the skills they need to get on and the local economy the workforce it needs to prosper.

"By trusting local people, backing business and investing in infrastructure, skills and housing, we can create thousands of new jobs. And that means more economic security, peace of mind and a brighter future for hardworking people in the West Midlands.”

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP welcomed the new cash boost.

He said: "This is fantastic news for Halesowen College and the apprentices which will benefit from this brand new facility on Coombs Wood Business Park.

"It was great to have the Prime Minister in Halesowen announcing this great news for the area."