A £400,000 centre allowing companies to train staff to high technical levels to work in multi-skilled environments is to open at North Tyneside College.
It follows the Learning and Skills Council's decision to award the college the UK's first Centre of Vocational Excellence in mechatronics.
Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics, IT and process engineering.
The centre will be officially opened by Stephen Byers MP on Friday.
North Tyneside College principal Les Walton said: "We have worked very closely with our business colleagues over the past year to ensure these new facilities meet the skills requirement of industry for the 21st Century.
"This has resulted in the development of a world-class technology and training centre."