PLANS for a new 2,000 sq m technology and skills centre, creating more than 150 jobs and apprenticeships in Andover, were unveiled this week.

The £6.45m centre would boast purpose-built areas for engineering, construction and wood trades, sectors where the local economy has “skills gaps”.

The announcement was made by Enterprise M3, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the M3 corridor, which said it was awarding a total of £9.2m to three skills centres in Andover, Brockenhurst and Ashford in Surrey in 2015/2016.

The Andover centre, based on the campus of the town’s college, is expected to create 81 apprenticeships, 34 higher apprenticeships and 36 jobs when it opens in August 2016.

Enterprise M3 has awarded the project £2.64m of Local Growth Fund cash, with the balance being funded by private sector investment, Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council.

Andover College principal Tim Jackson said: “We are extremely pleased to have received so much backing for our bid to build a new technology centre at the Andover campus.

“The support from the Enterprise M3 LEP, Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council has enabled us to invest in the expansion of the college as we continue to grow our student numbers.

“The new technology centre will also allow us to develop our range of courses to meet the needs of local employers and provide young people and adults with essential skills.”

Geoff French, chairman of the Enterprise M3 LEP, said: “The board is delighted to approve £9.24m of funding to both improve and grow the skills base in Andover, Brockenhurst and Ashford.

“By making significant investment in state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering and maths facilities such as these, we are ensuring that the young people in the Enterprise M3 area have access to excellent teaching accommodation and are provided with the skills which the hi-tech businesses in our area require in order to remain competitive in the global market.”