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BUILDING SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN 2026
ARE YOU READY
FOR LANCASHIRE’S BIGGEST BUSINESS CELEBRATION?
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
19 JANUARY 2026 Awards ceremony:
Thursday 12 March 2026, Winter Gardens Blackpool
redroseawards.co.uk @redroseawards
#RRA26
For more than 130 years, Blackburn College has been equipping businesses and their employees with the skills to succeed. Now, as part of the town’s wider regeneration, the college is powering the Blackburn Learning Quarter dedicated to education and skills.
A new year presents the ideal opportunity to strengthen your workforce, close skills gaps and invest in the future of your teams. Now, more than ever, employees value this opportunity to develop new skills which will positively impact their current role – and prepare them for future change.
So, if your teams are heading into the new year thinking about their development, it’s vital you have a plan to meet their needs – and importantly, the needs of your business.
Building a skills plan doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the support of your team and guidance from a trusted skills partner, you can lay a strong foundation and confidently grow the plan’s essential elements. Employers often find it easier to
and digital, marketing and accounting and engineering upskilling.
Apprenticeships can also form key support in succession planning – recruiting an apprentice into your business enables your existing teams to take on new roles having mentored and supported their successor. By developing your teams through nationally recognised qualifications, you will be able to increase productivity, reduce staff turnover and strengthen long-term business resilience.
Professional recognition is another consideration when planning skills development. Those who are working in business and professional roles, or wanting to develop in these areas, will certainly be seeking training which is accredited.
Of course, it’s also important to remember to keep on top of the ‘essentials’ and ensure that all legislative training is current and covers the needs of the whole workforce – this can often be overlooked until a crisis arises.
Employer-led Apprenticeship programmes
are a great starting point to develop some of the core skills needed in your business
develop their plan when they know what type of skills training is available, so it’s worth checking this out first.
Employer-led Apprenticeship programmes are a great starting point to develop some of the core skills needed in your business. By combining practical, on-the-job training with structured learning, they can help you grow talent from within, improve retention and maximise workforce performance. considerations for your existing teams may include leadership and management, cyber
Start the year with a clearer workforce strategy. Listen to your teams. Invest in skills. Build capability from within.
BIBAS SUCCESS AND RECOGNITION
Winning the BIBAs 2026 Skills Provider of the Year award was a moment of immense pride and reflection for everyone at Blackburn College. This achievement goes beyond recognition – it celebrates the passion, dedication, and belief that our staff,
Contact Blackburn College Business Development Team: 01254 292500 |
blackburn.ac.uk
students, and partners bring to education every day. Through pioneering T Levels, high-quality Apprenticeships, and industry- led lifelong learning, we have committed to transforming skills and shaping futures across Lancashire and beyond.
This award highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead. Employers can continue to collaborate with us to develop the skilled workforce they need, while professionals at every stage of their career can enhance their expertise through our flexible training and development programmes. Together, we are building stronger futures, driving innovation, and ensuring that skills thrive in our region and beyond.
MAKE BLACKBURN COLLEGE PART OF YOUR STORY
Partnering with Blackburn College gives employers a strategic opportunity to develop skilled, work-ready talent through high-quality Apprenticeship programmes and professional training. By working alongside a trusted leader in skills development, businesses can shape training around real industry needs, ensuring their teams gain practical, work relevant experience from day one.
This partnership enables employers to strengthen their workforce, close skills gaps, and build a sustainable pipeline of talent, while benefiting from expert support and industry-aligned training that delivers real impact on productivity and performance.
If developing the right skills is part of your 2026 strategy, contact us and we’ll help you design a tailored plan for success.
By Claire Shore Senior business development manager, Blackburn College
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