The Government is launching a £14m national academy to raise manufacturing skills.

The new national academy will deliver courses designed for the first time by industry for industry, with the aim of training 40,000 students a year by 2012.

Some of the biggest names in British manufacturing, including Rolls Royce, Caterpillar, Ford, GKN, BAe Systems, Airbus UK, Corus, VT Group and Nissan are backing the project.

The national centre in Birmingham will join up with lead colleges in each region of England delivering courses under the National Skills Academy brand.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alastair Darling said: "Raising skills has to be a national mission. That is why some of the best-known manufacturers in the country are on board.

"The new skills academy for manufacturing can be the production line for the next generation of highly trained, highly motivated manufacturing workers. The country needs them."

The government aims to have up to 12 academies for different industries operational by 2008. It is investing £90m in the programme, which will be delivered through the Learning and Skills Council working with employers and their Sector Skills Councils.