Construction on the UK’s new training facility National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) is on track to boost rail engineering skills in the country when it opens in late 2015.
A total of £3.5m in funding is being provided by the UK Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) for the project, while industrial partner Siemens will finance the remaining amount.
The new training centre aims to increase the expertise and skills level in rail engineering by providing training in specialist traction, rolling stock and many others to thousands of young people.
National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering chief executive Gil Howarth said: "Skills are the foundation of our thriving, hi-tech industry.
"The new National Training Academy is vital to support the development of the workforce in the rail sector, which continues to benefit from significant investment, as more and more people choose to travel by rail and trains become increasingly technologically advanced."
Located in Kings Heath, Northampton, NTAR will offer unique practical workshop facilities and classroom-based teaching.
It is estimated that approximately 100 jobs will be created as part of the construction and operation of the academy.
Through partnerships with organisations such as the National College for High Speed Rail, the training centre will develop a network of training sites to help the students with a variety of skills.
The academy will also allow organisations, including passenger and freight train operating companies, train manufacturers and maintainers, equipment manufacturers and the wider supply chain to access its training and development facilities.
Image: NTAR aims to address the future skills shortage in the traction and rolling stock segment of the UK rail sector. Photo: courtesy of UK Department for Transport.
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