Local Skills Improvement Fund

TLC has been successful in applying (via Myerscough College, who led the application) to the Department for Education to deliver a £4.5m Local Skills Improvement Fund programme comprising three projects each of which responds to a skills need identified in the Lancashire Local Skills Improvement Plan. The three projects are:

Skills for Sustainability

This project is being led by Preston College working in collaboration with Blackburn College, Lancaster and Morecambe College and Nelson and Colne College Group. It will support the development of cutting-edge teaching facilities and learning resources to enhance the training opportunities available related to the implementation and adoption of new net-zero carbon technologies in the Construction, Energy and Transport sectors.

Digital, Cyber and AI Employability Skills

This project is being led by Burnley College working in collaboration with Blackburn College, Preston College, Runshaw College and West Lancashire College (part of NCG). It is designed to fast-track the development of industry-standard, flexible teaching facilities and provide expert teaching staff with the specialist skills required to design, develop and deliver new curriculum that addresses the digital, cyber and AI skills needed by a broad range of employers across different sectors.

Skills from Farm to Fork

This project is being led by Blackburn College working in collaboration with Myerscough College, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Runshaw College and West Lancashire College (part of NCG). It is designed to fast-track the development of industry-standard, flexible teaching facilities and curriculum to address the recruitment and progression challenges seen in the catering/hospitality and farming/agriculture sectors that are critical to the Lancashire economy.

The Local Skills Improvement Fund was announced by the Department for Education on 10th November as part of a £200 million funding boost to support local areas to offer more high-quality training opportunities to meet local skills needs, including Higher Technical Qualifications. This is part of a government drive to level up the country, get more people into good jobs close to home, plug skills gaps and grow the economy.