Amazing Accrington hosts cyber-themed education summit

By Scott Dawson Advertising

25 May 2022

education-summit-2022_26-press.jpeg

Accrington Stanley 1968 Lounge, at the Wham Stadium hosted the third Hyndburn Education Summit.

Headteachers and careers leads came together with business leaders to hear about engagement with employers in the borough, and the fantastic opportunities the rapidly growing field of Digital and Cyber is bringing to our region.

Guest speaker at the event was a representative of the National Cyber Force (NCF), a partnership between Defence  MOD and Intelligence GCHQ, which will have its new headquarters in Salmesbury from 2024.

The move is part of the creation of a ‘cyber corridor’ from Manchester to Lancaster, with Samlesbury at its centre, and will bring significant numbers of skilled cyber jobs to the area. The NCF’s arrival will help to grow technology, digital and defence sectors, as well as encouraging partnerships between government, industry and universities in the region.  

The Lancashire area stands out for the quality of universities, Further Education colleges and schools, as well as its ethnic diversity - which is key to having the right mix of minds to represent the UK which is key to recruiting the right mix of minds to join this exciting new partnership. 

The packed schedule, at the stunning £2.5m new hospitality function at the Wham Stadium, saw speakers including:

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington Business Leaders Group and managing director of Scott Dawson Advertising – expanding on the Ambassador programme and inspirational visits into schools Ben Clements, managing director, Emerson & Renwick, speaking about the evolution of engineering and creating new IP Gareth Lindsay, managing director, NLTG, explaining that anyone who wishes to improve their digital skills can be helped Morag Davies, centre principal for Accrington & Rossendale College, on their £4m investment into training facilities for electric car maintenance, amongst other digital provision Heath Groves, CEO, Sundown Solutions, who is a major employer in the tech field in Hyndburn and has visited many schools to inspire pupils to take this career path Collette King, HR director, Studio Retail, about bringing opportunities to the local area as Hyndburn’s largest employer Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, underlining the Government’s pledges on levelling up and education 

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington commented: “We’re very pleased with the success of our Ambassador programme taking businesses into schools, and wish to expand on the number of Ambassadors we have, up to 30. We will also re run our Futures event in October, which was a great success in 2021.”

Ben Clements, managing director, Emerson & Renwick, said: “We’ve added to our traditional skills in engineering. We’re creating processes that have never been done before, and when working in a competitive global market, cyber security becomes critical.”

Gareth Lindsay, managing director, North Lancs Training Group, added, “We are always looking for ways to provide relevant training for everyone we come across, and we currently have 355 open vacancies including digital roles.”

Morag Davis, centre principal for Accrington & Rossendale College, commented, “Every job is a digital job now. We’re pleased to announce we’ve recently been awarded OFSTED Outstanding across our whole group, and one of the things they commented on was that our courses are developed to support the local and regional economy.”

Collette King, HR director, Studio Retail, said: “Studio Retail becoming part of a larger group will bring wider opportunities for colleagues, and to the local area. There are some really strong retailers within the group.”

Heath Groves, CEO, Sundown Solutions, added: “Age is just a number – we have colleagues aged from 16 to 59, currently. We take people on to develop their skills and train them, and we now have a staff of 58.”

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, rounded up with: “Education is key to levelling up, and giving people the skills they need for the future. We all work together to bring a bright future for Accrington and the surrounding area.”

You can see more on opportunities for young people on the purpose built area of the #AmazingAccrington website here: opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk

Picture captions:

Top. Left to right - Collette King of Studio Retail, and Heath Groves of Sundown Solutions speaking at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Middle: Left to right - Heath Groves, Collette King, Gareth Lindsay, Morag Davis, Sara Britcliffe MP and Ben Clements at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Bottom: Left to right - Collette King, Heath Groves, Morag Davis, Gareth Lindsay, Ben Clements and Sara Britcliffe MP speaking at the Amazing Accrington Education Summit

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin