INDUSTRY in Worcester

has a bright future thanks to the 'high quality' of training in key areas at a city college, Government inspectors have revealed.

Ofsted visited Worcester College of Technology and, in a positive report released today, praised the well-trained and skilled professionals it produces for city businesses.

The number of students on apprenticeships has doubled from 200 to 400 a year and the report noted high retention and pass rates, and 'industry standard' work being done in many courses.

Businesses in Worcester welcomed the news.

"The college is a great asset, and we are particularly pleased to see the excellent work in attracting people to vocational courses and delivering high-quality teaching," said Christopher Harvey, of the Chamber of Commerce.

"The business community has been having problems recruiting people in the kind of skill areas that the college has excelled in, especially engineering and construction.

"It provides a major contribution to the educational and business base in the city."

Ofsted reported 'very good' standards of teaching and learning and 'highly effective' assessment in engineering and 'high quality' work in construction courses.

Principal Chris Morecroft was especially pleased that inspectors had acknowledged

the skill levels of the students.

"They are not just gaining qualifications but performing to a high industrial standard," he said. "We are not playing at skills - our students can get out there and do their jobs from day one."

Eric Wiles, the Deansway college's chairman of governors, was also delighted.

"The critical thing is that there are shortages of skills in many of these industries so we are providing vital training," he said.

The success comes as Worcester Sixth Form College was named in the top five per cent of state schools and colleges nationally in a survey of students' improvements between GCSE and A-levels.