The centre, which was approved by Coventry City Council in June, will focus on engineering and has already received £10m from the government's Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

Due to open in 2019, it will provide training programmes up to level seven (master’s degree level) with an initial capacity for 500 students, scaling to 1,000 students on roll at any one time.

The apprentices, who will be employed by companies throughout Coventry and Warwickshire, will undertake their academic studies at the centre, which will be on the university campus.

The centre will provide flexible teaching and lab space, and an environment for technology-enhanced learning as well as advice and support for apprentices and organisations.
 
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, chairman of WMG, said:

"Building on nearly four decades track record of developing, and delivering, pioneering education programmes, our new Degree Apprenticeship Centre will provide a variety of routes to achieve degree level apprenticeships.

"Young people are our future and we need to provide them with as many opportunities to support our manufacturing base.

"The centre will give the opportunity for school leavers and apprentices, looking to progress from level four and five qualifications to degree level."

Jonathan Browning, chairman of the CWLEP, said

"The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre represents a significant investment in the delivery of higher-level skills to businesses and will focus on the high value manufacturing sector in Coventry and Warwickshire as well as meeting the needs of industry and the government’s skills and industrial strategies.

"Equipping businesses with the skilled workforces they need for the future is vital to our economy and this new centre will support businesses particularly in the manufacturing sector throughout Coventry and Warwickshire."