The national skills academies will train entrepreneurs, IT workers, electrical engineers and social carers, and will receive £30 million in capital and revenue funding. This sum will be matched by employers.
The new academies (Enterprise, Power, Information Technology and Social Care) will add to 12 already in existence, meaning 880,000 people will be supported by skills academies and government investment will total £120 million.
Denham 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."
Entrepreneur Peter Jones, who features in BBC's Dragon's Den, led the bid for the Enterprise Academy. He said: "I'm delighted with this commitment from government to enterprise learning. The funding contribution announced today will help us turn our plans for a £32 million learning programme into reality.
"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."
Government commits 30 million to fund four new academies
Skills secretary John Denham has given the go-ahead for four academies to develop the skills of 150,000 young people and adults.
