A NEW £2m training academy to produce the next generation of electricity supply workers across Lancashire and the North West was officially opened by the Duke of Westminster yesterday.

The new complex, in Whitebirk, Blackburn, will create 150 local job opportunities and train or reskill more than 200 technicians and engineers to help maintain the North West’s electricity supply.

The upgrading of its in-service training and apprenticeship scheme will support a £2.6bn investment programme in the power supply network in the region by Electricity North West.

The academy incorporates five workshops, classrooms, office space as well as associated amenity spaces, including outdoor training facilities.

It replaces the previous centre near Wigan.

The Duke of Westminster, Major-General Sir Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, one of Britain’s richest men and largest landowners, toured the academy before officially opening i.

He was chosen because of his interest in training and development as well as East Lancashire, where he is a major landowner in the Trough of Bowland.

The Duke said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity of visiting this excellent new training facility. Above all, I have been so pleased to hear about the opportunities being created for young people to train, at various different levels, for work in this vital industry.”

Electricity North West chief executive Steve Johnson said: “Our hard work has paid off and we can welcome the Duke of Westminster to open the doors to our academy.

“This is a fantastic development and it will allow us to grow our already successful apprenticeship scheme, with space for even more apprentices, A-level entrants and graduates joining our programmes.

“This growth is vital to ensure the North West’s network and our people are fully equipped to meet the challenges of the future.”

The academy will deliver specific electrical qualifications as well as vocational on-the-job training.

Alongside school-leavers, Electricity North West also offers accredited training programmes catering for A-level students and graduates who looking for careers in the energy industry.