LEP helps fund £1m advanced engineering training centre

A new £1m advanced engineering and manufacturing training facility run by Lancashire-based Training 2000 is to be created in Blackburn.

The project is thanks to £800,000 received from The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards the cost of the facility, which will open in early spring next year.

In its first two years, more than 250 local people will be able to study for Higher Engineering Apprenticeships and take part in upskilling programmes in partnership with businesses, driving skills and economy across the North West. Successful apprentices will have the opportunity to continue their studies up to degree level.

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director of the Lancashire Skills Hub, said: “The LEP has a multi-million pound investment programme to improve the skills of thousands of local people in a number of key areas of Lancashire’s economy, such as advanced manufacturing, where a more skilled workforce is crucial for growth.”

“This new facility run by Training 2000 is only one of a number of centres in the pipeline, which together will hugely expand the number of training places and Apprenticeships on offer in the county.”

“This initiative, together with the other measures the LEP is taking, will give an enormous boost to the local economy and create tens of thousands of extra jobs over the long term.”

Kate Hollern, MP for Blackburn, said: “I am delighted about this investment in the local area and the boost for higher-level Apprenticeships. This new advanced engineering facility will provide an amazing opportunity which will be fantastic for young people and businesses alike.”

Work has begun installing cutting-edge equipment supplied by world leading machinery manufacturers such as Coventry-based DMG Mori.

Steve Finn, Managing Director of DMG MORI UK, said: “By working with Training 2000, we will be able to help them in their objectives of developing the skills of young engineers and in offering technical advice to local businesses. This fits well with our policy of promoting new and innovative manufacturing techniques and inspiring young people to follow a career in engineering.”

Training 2000 is one of the largest Group Training Providers in the country, with almost 50 years’ experience of delivering high quality work-based learning and training programmes to industry and individuals.

The LEP’s £30m Growth Deal Skills Capital Programme has been funded via the £251.1 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in Lancashire.

It is a key part of the LEP’s ambitious strategic growth programme which will boost the local economy by £3bn by 2025, creating 50,000 jobs. The LEP will also support the delivery of the infrastructure needed to achieve this, including the building of 40,000 new homes.