RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Manufacturers Association is partnering with ECPI University to create a hub for manufacturing education and training in Southside Virginia to help align regional employer needs and economic development objectives.

The new Manufacturing Skills Institute announced Friday will be located in South Boston at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, a high-tech campus for cultural, educational, job training and work force development opportunities for the region. It also is home to several centers that focus on innovation, technology, modeling and simulation, as well as material coating and energy efficiency.