The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing will open in April after receiving government go-ahead.

The culmination of more than two years of research, planning and development by leading employers, co-ordinated by Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, the £4.4 million academy is forecast to deliver new skills to at least 28,000 people during its first four years.

“This is a major new landmark in the training provision for food and drink manufacturers,” said the chairman of Improve Paul Wilkinson. “The National Skills Academy has been driven by employers’ needs, has been designed by employers, and will be run by employers.”

The Food and Drink Academy is a joint venture between Improve (the Sector Skills Council for the Sector) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

As well as Food and Drink Manufacturing, the government has approved National Skills Academies for the Construction, Financial Services and Manufacturing industries. Bids from the nuclear industry; the chemical industry; the hospitality sector and the creative and cultural industries have been accepted by the Government and have been invited to prepare business plans ready for the next stage of the process.