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WORKING TOGETHER TO CLOSE LANCASHIRE’S SKILLS GAP
Across Lancashire, employers and education partners face an urgent challenge: closing the skills gap in a region with proud industrial roots, growing public services and ambitious plans.
From health and social care to advanced manufacturing, construction, digital and education, the demand for skilled, confident people has never been greater.
At East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT), we see this not simply as a challenge to overcome, but an opportunity to work together to benefit Lancashire’s people, employers and communities.
ELLG exists to create opportunity, unlock potential and support inclusive growth by working closely with employers to understand their workforce needs. Through the co-design of apprenticeships, bespoke upskilling programmes and meaningful industry placements, learning is aligned to real jobs and real services.
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provision is shaped around employer priorities and Lancashire’s future skills requirements. This approach enables ELLG to work with more than 400 employers, helping to strengthen productivity and build sustainable talent pipelines.
Our partnership with LSCFT demonstrates the impact of effective, place-based collaboration. Through open conversations about workforce pressures and shaping curricula that reflect clinical and operational realities, the partnership delivers tangible results.
Investment in diverse apprenticeships and tailored development pathways supports recruitment and retention, helping to build staff confidence and contributing to improved care for patients across the county.
As Kevin O’Hara, partnership development manager at LSCFT explains: “Working with ELLG is helping us to change how we approach workforce development. Rather than reacting to shortages, we are growing our own talent more – supporting the development of confident professionals whose skills directly
eastlancslearning.ac.uk
support patient care, community wellbeing and the long-term resilience of our services.”
This type of partnership creates value at every level. Individuals gain recognised qualifications, clear progression routes and fulfilling local careers. Employers benefit from skilled, adaptable teams who understand the communities they serve. Collectively, Lancashire’s economy is strengthened.
Facing your own skills challenges? The solution is clear: start locally, work collaboratively and treat skills as a strategic priority. Together, we can build a more skilled, confident and future-ready Lancashire.
By Morag Davis, East Lancashire Learning Group and Kevin O’Hara, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
NLTG APPRENTICESHIPS: AN INVESTMENT FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
As Lancashire business assess the impact of economic and political change on current and future operations, there’s no doubt that Apprenticeships remain, an effective way to create a qualified workforce, adding to company productivity and success.
Whether they are used to support the recruitment of new talent, or to develop the skills of existing employees, Apprenticeships can drive meaningful business impact in several key ways:
SKILL DEVELOPMENT ALIGNED WITH COMPANY NEEDS
Apprenticeships are designed to develop specific skills in the workplace. By investing in Apprenticeships, you can tailor training to operational needs, creating a more skilled workforce without the high cost of hiring fully trained specialists.
BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY AND RETENTION
Apprenticeships can deliver real impact with your existing workforce. Used strategically,
they can support progression planning and the professional development of employees of any age.
In addition to investing in the training of dedicated employees who already have experience in the organisation and the potential to go further, Apprenticeships can address skills shortages and improve staff retention, fostering a culture of loyalty, leading to increased productivity.
NLTG’S OFFER
At NLTG we have over 55 years’ experience of delivering Apprenticeships and offer:
• Ongoing expert support, from choosing the right Apprenticeship to funding advice and progression planning
• A partnership approach to programme development, aligning training programmes with long-term business goals and strategies
• High quality flexible on-site delivery tailored to business need
Contact us today for an informal chat: 01254 397119 |
bdc@nltg.co.uk |
nltg.co.uk
By Charlotte Duffell, Business development manager, North Lancs Training Group
• Industry specialist tutors
• A free applicant matching service for companies looking to employ new apprentices
Our Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 to 5 in subjects including: management, team leading, coaching, project management, customer service, furniture occupations, business administration, digital it support, multi-channel marketing, catering/hospitality, manufacturing and warehousing.
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