Bridget Phillipson and Ed Miliband in Lowestoft visit

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband scaling the heights at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mr Miliband, the shadow energy secretary, sampled what it is like to be a wind turbine engineer, as he "worked at height" in East Coast College's Clean Energy workshop at the Energy Skills Centre - part of its Lowestoft campus.

His visit was part of a tour of key Labour battleground seats in the East of England, which continued on Tuesday with the shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson.

Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft, Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary and Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband with an apprentice at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

At the campus, apprentices in the energy sector, and employers who have taken on the college's students, met with Ms Phillipson, Mr Miliband and Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft, during the special visit.

Showcasing specialist maritime, energy and offshore training centres, combined with commercial training and a partnership with University of Suffolk, the college’s Lowestoft campus has become a centre of excellence for energy, engineering and offshore skills training.

Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After Mr Miliband was given an insight into the working life of a wind turbine engineer Ms Asato and Ms Phillipson then took the wheel in rough conditions on a state-of-the-art simulator - as they navigated a vessel through the new Gull Wing bridge and the bascule bridge in Lowestoft on the college's Kongsberg bridge simulator.

Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary and Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft, at the bridge simulator. (Image: Mick Howes)

As well as discussing Labour’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower - which would create 56,000 jobs in the East of England, backed by Great British Energy - Ms Phillipson said: "It's been absolutely fantastic to see the amazing training opportunities that are being provided for young people here but also for people to reskill and get new training.

Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft, Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary and Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"There are so many new opportunities that can come offshore, and its about the colleges being able to work with business to deliver that.

Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft, Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary and Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband with staff, employers and governors at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"I think there is so much more that we could do to generate even more jobs - well paid, highly skilled jobs - and that's why a Labour government will bring real focus on that with upskilling opportunities for adults as well as more apprentices for our young people.

"And I know that if Jess wins the trust of local people she will be a fantastic champion for getting more investment into the community and making sure that everyone has the chance to benefit from these new jobs that are coming."

Jess Asato, Labour’s candidate for Lowestoft and Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, with staff and governors at East Coast College in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Ms Asato said: "It is just fantastic to see that East Coast College is here starting much of this work with local businesses."

After the visit, Rachel Bunn, director of commercial and community projects at East Coast College, said it was an "excellent opportunity" to showcase the facilities.