The Tamworth Automotive and Engineering Hub is to be officially opened later this month, following a large investment by Staffordshire County Council, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and South Staffordshire College. The new centre will offer a range of courses for people aged 14 and over.

Councillor Ben Adams, Staffordshire’s cabinet member for learning and skills, said: “We are committed to investing in skills to increase long-term opportunities for Staffordshire people.

"We know that this centre will be the only one of its kind in this region; it will vastly improve the learning offer in the town and the facilities for people attending courses.

"Having South Staffordshire College come on board to run the centre means that its long-term viability is secured and the good links it already has with businesses can be expanded and strengthened.”

The college already has links with a number of employers in the automotive and engineering sector. It is also working with Jaguar Land Rover to help local people apply for semi-skilled roles at the company. This involves an ‘introduction to engineering’ programme and a sector-based work academy.