Blackpool and The Fylde College has welcomed Minister for Transport Paul Clark to its Bispham and Fleetwood Nautical Campuses.

Paul Clark meets nautical students Hazel Bryan and Jack Hutton

This marked the second Ministerial visit for the College in a month, following the visit in August by Bob Ainsworth, Secretary of State for Defence, who chatted to construction and bricklaying learners at Blackpool Build Up as part of his ‘Building Britain’s Future’ tour.

Mr Clark spent time exploring the esteemed Automotive and Aviation academies at the College’s School of Engineering and Computing, before embarking on a full tour of Fleetwood Nautical Campus.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport was taken to the radar station on the promenade, where learners can practice on the latest simulation software which replicates navigation equipment on ships; and experienced the ship’s bridge simulator where large screens emulate real docks and ports as the students navigate the ships safely. He then visited the impressive environmental tank and witnessed real-life lifeboat training in the 4 metre deep training pool.

Commenting, Paul Clark MP said:

“I’ve had a very enjoyable and interesting visit to Blackpool and The Fylde College. I was very impressed by not only the range but also the breadth of training facilities on offer at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, and indeed with the automotive and aviation resources at Bispham.”

Blackpool and The Fylde College Principal Pauline Waterhouse OBE took the opportunity to raise Blackpool’s case for funding for a new FE campus and also a new nautical campus in Fleetwood as part of the College’s ongoing commitment to improve and expand facilities for learners.

She said:

“I personally invited the minister to come and look at our College, particularly the Fleetwood Nautical Campus, so he could see first hand what valuable training and simulated exercises we carry out with our students and the vital links we have with the shipping industry.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the College but also to highlight the need for further funding – the time I spent with Mr Clark was very productive and I’m pleased he took the time to visit.”