Peter Jones, the Dragon’s Den star, is to head one of the Government's skills academies that specialises in entrepreneurship.

Mr Jones, who was a millionaire by the time he was 23, will head up and give lessons at the new National Skills Academy for Enterprise.

The academy, based in Buckinghamshire and opening its doors next year, will provide young people with leadership training and the knowledge to set up on their own. It will offer vocational qualifications in enterprise and entrepreneurship and more than 11,000 pupils will benefit in the first three years.

A second centre is planned for Manchester and there will be a roll-out of satellite academies across the UK over the next four years with online courses available.

The Dragon’s Den businessman, who launched the career of Levi Roots - the dreadlocked creator of Reggae Reggae Sauce - wants to run the academy in order to nurture entrepreneurial talent.

Mr Jones made his millions with his own computer business but lost his fortune during his twenties and at one point was reduced to living in the office. He built his empire back up and now owns a multimillion-pound phone business.

He said: “Through powerful public and private sector partnership, we can successfully unlock the talent of Britain’s young people and realise the potential of the UK to lead the world in entrepreneurship.

“The new National Academy for Enterprise will focus on developing enterprise and innovation skills to equip the next generation of young people with the skills and confidence they will need to succeed in the modern business world, whether as enterprising employees or starting their own businesses.”

John Denham, the Skills Secretary said: “Now, more than ever before, we need to develop innovative training that inspires and empowers a new generation to realise their ambitions.

“Skills academies put employers in the driving seat to shape training for their industries, building the world-beating workforce that will improve productivity and competitiveness across the country.”

The academy is one of four new skills academies due to be given the green light by ministers today. The others will be for power, IT and social care.

The four academies will receive £30 million in total in government funding, which will be matched by employers who have bid to lead the academies.

There are already 12 National Skills Academies, 10 of which are up and running while two are in the planning stage.

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