JCB to sponsor skills academy

The world's largest construction equipment manufacturers JCB is to sponsor its own engineering skills academy.

Due to open in September 2010, the JCB Academy will train 540 students from Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Derbyshire, according to the Institute of Commercial Management website.

Paul Pritchard, JCB Academy Project Head, said the finished establishment would be a centre of excellence.

He commented: 'The JCB Academy will provide a platform to regenerate engineering and manufacturing in Britain and will become a catalyst for improved provision of education across the entire region in engineering, manufacturing and business, providing young people with enhanced employability prospects.'

Founded in 1945 by Joseph Cyril Bamford, JCB currently employs more than 8,000 people worldwide and has operations in 150 countries including Brazil, China, Germany India and the US.

The firm also has over 220 different machines on sale at 650 global dealers, according to its website.