A Flintshire-based trailer firm was officially opened by Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, creating 30 new jobs to train welders.

Ifor Williams Trailers took the decision to train their own welders at a time when orders for their market-leading trailers are soaring.

The firm has manufacturing sites in Corwen, Ruthin, Sandycroft and on Deeside Industrial Estate where it employs a total of more than 500 people.

The 30 new welding jobs are on top of a further 100 posts created at the new £5 million Sandycroft factory, which opened in November 2017 and as part of the company’s ongoing recruitment drive.

The Welsh Government Economy and Transport Minister hailed the academy as ‘a brilliant idea’ upon opening the centre.

He said: “It is music to my ears to hear about a world class company like Ifor Williams Trailers investing in training and development, making sure that the employees here are equipped with the skills that will make sure they stay here for a good length of time to come.

“I am incredibly proud the company is based here in North Wales. It employs a huge number of loyal, dedicated, skilled people and it's an incredible success so we must never stop cheering.

"There is a hunger for further continuous improvement and for research and development and innovation, and that's exactly what we want to see across the Welsh economy.”

Project manager Nick Backstrom, who runs the Weld Academy, says this project is all about getting the local workforce skilled in line with the bespoke needs of Ifor Williams Trailers.

He said “It is a really intensive course that can take someone from zero skills to being production-ready tailored to the needs of the business.

Mr Backstrom said that students would be putting in close to 150 weld hours behind the mask as part of their training. If they pass the test at the end of the course, students will go on to get a job and shadow an experienced welder before they begin working on their own.

Among those who has made the grade is 29-year-old Nathan Jones, from Ruthin, who joined the programme to further his career and learn more skills.

He said: “I am proud when I see the fruits of my labour being towed out on the roads and my children are also proud every time, they see one of the company’s trailers.

“I tell my friends that they need to apply because it’s such a good opportunity and it’s good company to work for.

Richard Bull, Head of Components at Ifor Williams Trailers, said: “As specialists in trailer design and engineering, we have continued to set the standard both in the UK and throughout much of Europe and across the world.

“We are looking for people who will buy into our ethos of producing high quality trailers that combine high technology with strength, durability, ease of maintenance and value for money.”