HUNDREDS turned out to hear from Ministry of Defence representatives about plans for the technical college at the former RAF Lyneham last night.

In a year from now - on November 9, 2015 - the first tranche of trainees will begin technical courses at the new Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT) at Lyneham, and at any one time there will be on average 1,500 trainees on the site and 500 trainers.

As building continues and the college expands, so will the numbers, and it is projected that the college will see around 5,500 students and staff on site by 2019.

The event at the Royal Wootton Bassett Golf and Country Club was organised by the town’s Chamber of Commerce, and was an opportunity for businesses to find out the kind of services and products the trainees will need from local businesses once they open next year.

Roz Paton, president of the Royal Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce, said: “Many of the businesses see the return of the MoD to Lyneham as an opportunity which is gold dust.

"I think there was some anxiety, mainly about concerns that the soldiers coming in might be yobs who flood the High Street every Saturday night, but we soon quashed that.

"Gone are the days where soldiers would do that and instead the young men and women who came to the event and who are just like the trainees who will be coming to Lyneham next year are people that we should respect and welcome.

“They are also very discerning as young people often are these days and want quality services, and this is an opportunity for businesses to start thinking how they can welcome them to the community.

“It was a very successful event not only to raise awareness and share information about what is happening but also as a springboard businesses can use to begin to prepare to welcome them.

“The Chamber will be encouraging businesses to think about army discounts for local services, for instance.”

The first wave of students will all be members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the time they will individually spend at the college will vary up to two years as they take courses in electronic and mechanical engineering, in aeronautical engineering or in communication and information systems.

During the evening, visitors heard from Lt Commander Bryony Carpenter from the Royal Navy about the technical development of the college, from Lt Col Mike Tizard of the REME and from Wiltshire councillor for Lyneham, Allison Bucknell.

Visitors also had plenty of opportunity to ask questions, and to speak to some of the trainees currently studying at REME headquarters in Bordon, Hampshire, and Arborfield, Berkshire.