A multi-million pound training centre to help tackle a looming skills shortage will soon be taking shape in Huddersfield.

A ground-breaking ceremony signalled the start of work on the new National Process Manufacturing Centre (NPMC).

The state-of-the-art NPMC aims to help equip the region’s chemical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing sectors with the next generation of skilled workers to replace a generally ageing workforce over the coming decade.

The NPMC is being developed by Kirklees College in partnership with Kirklees Council, a host of manufacturing companies and industry support groups. It will stand alongside the college’s existing engineering centre at Turnbridge Road, off St Andrew’s Road, Turnbridge.

The NPMC, which is scheduled to be available for training in early 2016, is set to create 26 jobs, including construction workers, technicians, teaching and administration staff. It is expected to take 800 additional new learners over a period of four years.

Kirklees College principal Peter McCann said: “This is an important development to provide specialist local training for major employers vital to the economy of Kirklees and the Leeds City Region.

“I am extremely grateful for the support the college has received from a wide range of employers, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and Kirklees Council without any of whom we would not have been able to get to this position today.”

An initial project group first started working on the project in 2012, when the need for a process manufacturing training centre for the chemical, pharmaceuticals and food manufacturing industries in the Leeds City Region and beyond was identified.

The initial project group included Nufarm UK Limited, Syngenta, Kirklees College and YCF (Your Connected Future) but support as the project has grown, many more companies have pledged their support.

The project has been awarded £3.1m capital funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP). This will be added to £5m funds from lthe College and from ocal businesses.

Companies supporting the venture include Huddersfield agri-chemicals company Syngenta, Bradford crop protection products firm Nufarm UK Ltd, Batley’s Fox’s Biscuits, Meltham and Mirfield-based textile firm Camira Fabrics and major names such as Nestle, Kodak, Coca-Cola and BASF.

The NPMC will include state-of-the-art control systems, classrooms, workshops, chemistry laboratory and IT facilities as well as sharing some of the resources available at the neighbouring engineering centre.

The project will enable the college to further develop new apprenticeship routes for laboratory technicians and in process operations, process engineering maintenance, mechanical, and control electrical.