The move is part of a joint venture with flour supplier, Whitworth, who will oversee training at their Wellingborough site.

The college will enable students to complete National Vocational Qualifications in six months rather than 12.

Graduates will then be sent to work in Sainsbury's stores across the country.

Justin King, chief executive officer at Sainsbury's, said: "The college will get more qualified bakers into our stores more quickly, which will improve the quality of our offer at the same time as providing our colleagues with the skills they need to carve out a long and rewarding career in retail. This is just one of the many initiatives through which we provide our colleagues with skills and training."