The centre will be used to train RMT workplace and health-and-safety reps as well as branch, regional and national officers and staff.

It was opened by Marine Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin and Women Against Pit Closures co-founder Anne Scargill.

"This is an exciting moment for a growing union and enables us to offer state-of-the-art IT training and other education facilities in a comfortable residential centre" said RMT general secretary Bob Crow today.

"With a growing membership and more and more new reps to train, opening a new national education facility was rightly identified by the RMT executive as a priority for the union.

"The labour movement has always aimed to educate as well as to agitate and organise, and this splendid new centre gives a tremendous boost to an essential function.

"It is fitting too that we the guests we have opening the centre today represent both the internationalism of the trade union movement and the best traditions of trade-union struggle in Britain," Bob Crow said.

Centrally located and less than a mile from Doncaster station, the former nursing home building was chosen with ease of access in mind for RMT transport workers from all over Britain.

The building has undergone six months of renovation and refitting and now boasts a fully equipped classroom suite with full IT facilities, 15 bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a kitchen, garages and a bar.

Arrangements for under-five child-care have also been made with a local nursery less than 500 yards from the centre.