The opening of a new SPX training centre in Gloucester for apprentice technicians was refreshing news in these bleak times.

I was invited to the official unveiling last month with the full report due to be published in the December 12 issue of AM.

Obviously I cannot reveal too much as you will have to read the story to find out more, but what I can say is several noughts have been spent on creating the centre which is superb.

The fresh and clean design is almost clinical in its appearance and has already been used by about 100 apprentices.

As someone who yearns for every conceivable tool to help me build my Mk2 Astra GTE track car, I was jealous of the new equipment, in particular the smart tool chests filled with a myriad of sockets, spanners and screwdrivers.

Two carmakers are already sending their trainees to the centre which hopefully will be used by local dealerships as well.

Everyone I spoke to praised SPX for creating such a modern, well laid out site, although some said they would wait for the economy to strengthen before looking into using it.