Computing training

The College has been providing European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) training for Blackpool Borough Council for many years, and each year the number of employees completing the course grows.

This academic year the Council has sent a record six groups (each with around 10 to 15 students) to undergo the seven-week IT programme and the success rate has been particularly high.

We're very flexible in our approach to the ECDL. Lytham Land Registry, who want all their staff to be educated to ECDL standard, were looking for a more relaxed approach to learning so we ran the programme over 16 weeks instead of the usual seven.

Personnel training

For those working in Personnel or Human Resources, the CIPD Certification in Personnel Development qualification can bring benefits to both the individual and the employer, as Deputy HR Manager of Layton Medical Centre, Ann Hollis, testifies.

"The course tightened up the procedures we had in place and highlighted areas we needed to bring up to date. It gave me the confidence to approach my Manager with ideas, such as a new Recruitment and Selection policy and a review of appraisals. The course is ideal for anyone working in HR or for managers who wish to tighten their policies and procedures. It's been an enjoyable insight into the HR role."

Construction training

For Kevin Moses of Wyre Housing Association, the College's HNC Construction course supported him in his career progression from Joiner to Acting Manager of their subsidiary, Lancashire Building Maintenance.

"I thought the tutors were extremely supportive and I enjoyed the flexibility that this part-time programme offered," he says. "It's a great course and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone."

Kevin has since organised for all his team to undertake a two-day multi-skilling course in plastering, tiling and basic electrical work, which has been customised by the College to meet his employer's special requirements.

"We work in an increasingly competitive industry where there are national skills shortages," explains Kevin, "so we wanted to give our operatives a leading edge."