A NEW training and learning centre has been unveiled at west Suffolk-based automotive industry firm Delphi.

Despite offering redundancy packages to staff last week, the company has made a sizeable investment in the new facility at its manufacturing plant in Sudbury’s Newton Road.

The centre, which has been designed to enable Delphi’s employees and apprentices to hone their skills using the latest technology, was formally opened by Sudbury mayor and former Delphi employee, Jack Owen on Thursday evening.

More than 100 invited guests, including representatives from national training organisations, local schools, and Delphi’s training partner West Suffolk College attended the event, which also doubled as a presentation evening for the town’s annual apprentice awards.

This year’s top apprentices included Dan Swain, Ashlee Brazier and Lewis Farley. The award for best college-based performance shown by an apprentice, went to Joseph Albon.

Mr Owen said: “Delphi has shown its commitment to the future by taking on apprentices every year, and the speech that was given at the opening evening really gave confidence to people that there is a future for the company in the town.”

Earlier this month, Delphi’s training programmes received accreditation from the prestigious engineering body, IMECHE.

The company was also a finalist in the ‘large employer’ category at the Apprentice and National Training Awards 2012, where it represented the eastern region and was ‘highly commended’.