The Government revealed it will split the training of HS2 engineers between the two locations, with the headquarters based in Birmingham’s city centre Science Park and another college at Doncaster’s Lakeside Campus.

Derby and Manchester were also shortlisted as possible sites.

Birmingham was also named as the HS2 project headquarters in July and will employ 1,500 construction and engineering staff.

As many as 2,000 apprenticeship opportunities will be created by HS2, and there will be around 25,000 people employed during construction.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “The opening of this National College will also ensure that we have a pool of locally-trained workers with the right skills to draw upon for future projects.”

Terry Morgan, chair of Crossrail, will chair the Governing board that will also include council representatives, alongside HS2 and leading rail industry employers.