National skills academy launched

A £14m academy to raise manufacturing skills across the nation is to be opened in the west Midlands.

Trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling called for a "national mission" to improve skill levels in order to compete with the growing economic power of India and China.

The academy will join with lead colleges in each region of England, delivering courses under the National Skills Academy brand.

The project has the backing of some of the big named from UK industry, including Rolls Royce, Caterpillar, Ford and BAe Systems.

"The new Skills Academy for Manufacturing can be the production line for the next generation of highly trained, highly motivated manufacturing workers,” said Darling. "The country needs them."

Manufacturing accounts for around 14% of GDP, providing almost four million jobs. However, Lord Leitch’s recent report on skills said that the UK may face a crisis in future years if companies fail to invest in skills training.

In December, the Scottish Executive announced that Scotland was "closing the gap" on England in terms of skills and learning.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to have 12 academies set up by 2008, catering for different industries, and is investing £90m in the scheme.

The first three academies are for financial services, construction and manufacturing.

The government said it has accepted bids from the nuclear industry; the chemical industry; the hospitality sector; and the creative and cultural industries, and has invited the bidders to draw up business plans for the next stage of the process.