8 IN VIEW
By Ged Henderson
The new Lancashire Growth Plan sends a clear message to Westminster’s corridors of power: Investment in five key areas of the economy could give the county a £20bn boost and help drive national growth.
The plan sets out in some detail the county’s case for support and investment, along with the challenges the fourth largest economy in the North needs to overcome in order to deliver.
The consultation version of the document, unveiled at the Convention of the North in Preston in late February, declares: “To supercharge our growth, Lancashire needs targeted government policy and investment support.”
The pipeline of major development and infrastructure projects contained within its pages amounts to a decade-long investment package valued at more than £20bn, aimed at transforming the county’s economic prospects.
A CLEAR STATEMENT OF INTENT
M65 Corridor
HOW AI IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION AT BURNLEY COLLEGE
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer an exciting buzzword; it’s now a fundamental part of our educational landscape. At Burnley College, we’re witnessing first hand how AI is revolutionising the way we teach, learn and operate.
During our recent Thrive Summit 2.0, which focused on the power and potential of AI, business leaders from diverse industries shared game-changing insights.
From streamlining administration to analysing data, the ways AI is transforming workplaces are as remarkable as they are promising.
Beyond the classroom, AI has revolutionised how we manage our operations. Tedious administrative tasks such as scheduling or student enrolment processes have been automated, freeing our staff to focus on what truly matters – cultivating an environment for intellectual growth.
Looking ahead, the possibilities feel endless. One vision we are particularly passionate about is creating fully immersive, AI-driven simulations.
Imagine history students stepping into augmented realities of pivotal historical moments or health science students engaging in lifelike surgical training, guided by AI. These are no longer distant dreams but achievable realities.
James Stott, Network services and cyber security manager
For example, AI takes away much of the time researching and lesson planning – allowing these to be semi-automated processes, giving tutors more time to support students individually.
jstott@burnley.ac.uk
At Burnley College, AI has become a partner in our mission to empower students. The Thrive Summit highlighted that innovation must be about more than just adopting technology; it’s about using it to unlock human potential.
Together, we’ll continue to push boundaries, ensuring every learner benefits from the unparalleled opportunities AI presents.
Do you embrace AI or are you making tentative steps towards discovering it? Let me know.
The plans authors have pinpointed UK security, clean growth and nuclear power, sustainable digital and AI and advanced engineering and manufacturing as “priority opportunities”.
They add to those ‘a re-imagined coast’ declaring that the county’s seaside towns are showing a way of working that offers a ‘regeneration blueprint’ for coastal communities across the country.
The new combined county authority’s 44-page document identifies ‘Lancashire’s Central Belt’ running along the M55-M65 corridor and anchored by Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn and Burnley as its “primary economic focus”.
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