AN Otterbourne garage has celebrated the grand opening of its new training facilities aimed at giving mechanics the skills they need to enter the industry.

Williams Garage owner Pete Whieldon, who has worked with cars for almost 50 years, gave a speech to friends, family and business partners in one of the site's specially dedicated training rooms.

He said: "If someone had told me nearly 50 years ago, when I was starting out with just a man and a van, that we'd be where we are today, I'm not sure I would have believed them.

READ MORE: Williams garage in Otterbourne is opening new training centre

The festivities at the Williams Garage, Otterbourne (Image: Amber Buttler) "But looking around this room, at the faces of so many people who've been a part of this journey, I realise that none of this would have been possible without you."

Pete's mission with this new initiative is to "bring new blood" into the industry. 

He added: "We're majorly struggling to bring in new recruits."

To combat this, the garage is holding over 400 training days a year to equip youngsters with essential knowledge and skills.

Pete's daughter-in-law, Kate, runs the admin side of the training academy. She explained that the garage currently has deals with two organisations, the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills and LKQ, although the garage is looking for more.

During his speech, Pete Said: "This new training facility means the world to me. It's not just a place for meetings and updates, it's a space for growth, for our technicians, for new talent coming into the trade, and for the future of our business.

"I want this to be my legacy. To give back to the industry that's given me so much, and to help the next generation be even better than we were."