The academy, which will be run by Rotec Engineering, will take on young people giving them training on the job and it is anticipated one full time job and two part time positions will be filled by the students each year.

 

Plans for the academy were unanimously approved by council chiefs at Wychavon District Council planning committee on Thursday.

Councillor Bob Banks said: “The future of manufacturing in the UK lies in the hands of young people and giving them the opportunity to florish. The Rotec academy does this.”

When completed the new education centre will be built alongside the business on the Vale Park Industrial Estate and also incorporate a new workshop hoping to enable the company to grow by 50 per cent over two to three years.

The academy plans to work in partnership with South Worcestershire College training and developing young people, and also plans to provide courses, such as health and safety, outside normal working hours for local businesses.

The plans coincide with a new campaign being launched by Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, which aims to inspire people to take up careers in engineering, science and technology.

Mr Luff said: “It is really unqualified good news for the Vale of Evesham. We are desperately short of engineers at apprentice and graduate level. If the right route is take engineers can be making money and doing something important with a long term career.

“We do still make stuff in this country and in the Vale and we need more apprentices. This is just what we need.”

On February 13 Mr Luff will be introducing a Ten Minute Rule Bill to the House of Commons, which will target school aged children both in school and through Local Enterprise Projects to ensure there are enough resources for pupils to develop an interest in the subject from a younger age.

“Now engineering is one of the best paid and most secure careers a young person can choose. Their work is vital not just in the civilian sector, but also in defence. Without British engineers and scientists we would not be able to defend ourselves.”