Speaking at the event, the Minister said: "This is a significant milestone in the development of the much needed educational accommodation for the people of the Lisburn. "This development will allow the College to continue to deliver first class education and training to the local areas.

"Skills, together with enterprise, infrastructure, research and development, are the key drivers of our economic vision for Northern Ireland. Of these, skills development presents the greatest challenge, but offers the greatest potential for improvement. If skills, or the lack of skills, is the problem, then Further Education must play a critical role in the solution."

The building work will take three years to complete with the Lisburn Campus becoming available in April 2010.

Sir Reg continued: "Given the constraints of the current financial climate, this investment is testimony to the commitment of my Department to provide a Further Education infrastructure equipped to meet the needs of a modern vibrant economy."

College Acting Principal and Chief Executive, Mr Tom Place, said: "This investment marks the key role which South Eastern Regional College will play in the future of the local economy. With enhanced facilities in which to deliver a high quality learning experience the College is committed to the success of individual learners and the businesses which employ them."

Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Edwin Poots MLA welcomed the commencement of the development. He said it had been "long awaited" but stressed the college must "look to develop new opportunities" in association with the new building and has to see "closer links with universities to develop accredited courses which would fulfil part of the requirements for degrees."

"While this is the case already for some courses there are significant opportunities to extend this," he explained.