WORK to build Canvey ’s £6.3million new super-college is shaping up nicely – with a woman now hired to run the vocational centre of excellence.

The Canvey Skills Campus will specialise in apprenticeship schemes for teenagers and is due to open in four months.

It will allow students as young as 14 to learn a trade in construction, vehicle maintenance or hair and beauty.

Jackie Watford has now been appointed centre manager for the college, which is being built on the old Castle View School site, in Meppel Avenue.

Mrs Watford has worked in schools across the area and was formerly construction course manager at Prospects College ’s Basildon site, in Crompton Close.

She said: “The opportunity to work with the community to promote and deliver the skills needed by employers is really exciting.

“Residents of Castle Point have been waiting a long time for this opportunity and I will work hard to ensure that we provide the very best skills and training available.”

The college – funded by Essex County Council and managed by the Prospects Learning Found-ation – will cater for 14-to-19 year olds who would benefit from vocational, rather than academic qualifications.

There will also be night school opportunities for adults.

Building work on the bold coloured hexagon-shaped college started last November and most of the structural work is now finished. The centre will take 200 students in its first year, starting in January, and should be able to take 300 a year after that.

Stephen Castle , county councillor responsible for education, said: “Education is not just about an excellent building. It is also about excellent delivery of teaching and learning and I’m sure Jackie, with the support of Prospects, will allow Castle Point residents to make the very best of this opportunity.”