Birmingham's new high speed rail college, set up to train the next generation of railway engineers, has been hailed by transport secretary Chris Grayling as a sign that the £50 billion scheme will transform lives and communities.

The National College for High Speed Rail, set to open next year and will equip youngsters with the skills to build and run the country’s high speed rail network for years to come.

And Mr Graying was special guest at a ceremony to mark completion of the college’s roof.

With construction of HS2 due to start in six months the college will soon be ready to turn out hundreds of apprentice engineers, builders and designers to get to work on the scheme.

The cabinet minister said: “HS2 will be the backbone of our national rail network and help us build an economy that works for all. The significant benefits of the scheme will not just be felt from when the trains start running.

“Work on the new College sites shows the transformational effect that HS2 is already having, creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Around 25,000 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships will be generated during construction of HS2, which is due to begin next year.

The National College for High Speed Rail

“The UK is highly regarded for its engineering capabilities but we need to do more to attract new talent to the sector as well as improving the skills of the current workforce. That is why the Government launched a transport skills strategy earlier this year committing us to create 30,000 apprenticeships across roads and rail by 2020. The National College for High Speed Rail is a vital part of these plans as it will provide the cutting-edge skills we need to deliver HS2 and other world-beating infrastructure.”

Budding young engineers are already lining up to secure a place at the college when it opens in 2017.

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Among them is Jada Bailey-Webber who said: “I’m currently doing a Rail Engineering transition course at Aston University Engineering Academy which involves trackside learning and working with businesses, to help prepare me to attend the National College for High Speed Rail. Using my current Engineering qualifications, studying further at the college and working alongside businesses to get hands on work experience will help prepare me for my future career.”

The National College for High Speed Rail will operate over two sites, this one in Birmingham and another in Doncaster.

Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy added: "HS2 is already a game-changer that is driving economic growth in the region, and the development of a new National College for High Speed Rail in the heart of the city is another example of the long-term benefits we are realising.