Work is underway on the National College for High Speed Rail (NCHSR) in Birmingham and Doncaster.

Groundbreaking ceremonies marking the start of construction took place on Monday, 09 May.

The college, which is being built in Doncaster's Lakeside and Birmingham's university district, is on schedule to open in September 2017.

The facility will provide the specialist training, skills and qualifications required to build the £43 billion HS2 programme and other related rail infrastructure projects.

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Around 100,000 jobs will be supported nationwide by HS2, creating around 25,000 jobs during construction of Phases One and Two along with 2,000 apprenticeships.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: "This landmark moment means we are one step closer to seeing students walk through the doors of the College in 2017, learning the cutting-edge skills we need to deliver HS2 and world-beating rail infrastructure.

"This shows the transformational effect that HS2 is already having on our country - boosting skills, generating jobs and supporting economic growth – before spades are in the ground next year."

Terry Morgan, Chair of the Corporate Board for the NCHSR, added: "The National College for High Speed Rail is progressing at an excellent pace and I am delighted that construction is underway on both sites in Doncaster and Birmingham."

(Image: Visual of the proposed NCHSR in Birmingham)

(LM/MH)