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BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN REGIONAL FOCUS By Dan Clough IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
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The acquisition of apprenticeships provider Training 2000 ‘marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Blackburn College’, according to its principal.
Dr Fazal Dad speaks with real pride about the recent takeover from the University of Lancashire, which was confirmed at the end of August.
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Founded more than 60 years ago, Training 2000 has supported thousands of apprentices and employers across a wide range of sectors. From advanced manufacturing and engineering to professional services and higher technical qualifications, the organisation has built a strong reputation for delivering high quality training and developing future talent.
Speaking exclusively to Lancashire Business View from his office in Feilden Street, Dr Dad explains how the acquisition was perfect for the college.
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He says: “The real value is around the long term future of apprenticeships across Blackburn, Darwen, East Lancashire and Lancashire as a whole. It is about protecting those opportunities.
“Nationally we are now looking at huge demand from prospective apprenticeship students and school leavers who want apprenticeships. Unfortunately, the opportunities from employers are limited. This gives Blackburn College an
opportunity to build on that and really create some pathways for our communities.
“There’s a bigger agenda around social mobility, growth and productivity. These are some of the real values.
“Joining those together provides us with a powerful tool to meet the demands of employers and create that ecosystem for our communities as a whole.”
Managed by Preston based University of Lancashire since 2017, Training 2000 has been headquartered in Harwood Street, Blackburn. The deal for the college to take over ownership of Training 2000 has followed around 18 months of conversations, but, Dr Dad says, the transfer made sense for all parties, including the university.
He says: “It became very clear that the two organisations working together, Blackburn College and Training 2000, would be a stronger proposition for Blackburn with Darwen and the local economy.
“Apprenticeship provision is very expensive to offer. It is not chalk and talk, like A-level courses provided through the sixth form. Apprenticeships require high expenditure on kit, equipment and resources.
“This will give us an opportunity to work with
Prof Andrew Ireland, University of Lancashire, Dr Fazal Dad, Blackburn College, Nicola Clayton, Blackburn College and Karen Soames, Training 2000
NEW CHAPTER FOR TRAINING 2000
more employers and support them to take on more apprentices, opening a gateway for more young people to secure apprenticeships.
“This development is significant. It represents a substantial investment from the college and it is also an investment in the town. It strengthens Blackburn with Darwen as a borough. We can offer both day-release apprenticeships and block-release apprenticeships, giving employers different approaches to meet their needs.”
Reflecting on his own experiences as an apprentice in the Black Country during his youth, Dr Dad understands the value of apprenticeships, not just in skills development but in helping people learn valuable life lessons.
He says: “I left school at the age of 16 and took a full-time job as an apprentice electrical engineer. I know the true value of what an apprenticeship offers.
“When I look back now on my career, I worked in the electrical engineering sector for 11 years and then moved into education. That grounding, that knowledge I gained in the real world is still, to this day, my foundation around customer service, communication and providing a high quality service.
“I am still using those basic fundamentals in my full time job now as principal and chief executive at Blackburn College.”
Training 2000 may be an established organisation with six decades of experience supporting young people to develop their skills, but the college will be looking to develop the offer.
“When you look at Training 2000, there’s a heritage, a reputation and expertise they have that we don’t have,” Dr Dad says. “But for me,
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