Blackburn College commences adult course delivery in Darwen

MP for Darwen Jake Berry with Principal and Chief Executive of Blackburn College Dr Fazal Dad outside Darwen Heritage Centre, Holker House

Blackburn College has started delivering new free courses for adult learners at the Darwen Heritage Centre in Darwen town centre.

The Darwen Community Learning Programme provides a range of courses to engage and support the Darwen community, particularly those who are unemployed or who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blackburn College and the Job Centre Plus offer a two-week part-time Introduction to Working in Care course to introduce jobseekers to local employers in the Care sector who are currently recruiting staff, with sessions delivered in Holker House.

MP for Darwen Jake Berry said: “I’m delighted that as we begin to move out of the period of national lockdown, Blackburn College is doing everything possible to encourage people to retrain and upskill.

“This new centre will give local people the support they need to apply for new jobs in some of the most rewarding areas of work and will help our communities build back following the pandemic.

“For me, the opening of the new centre in Darwen, within one of our most historic buildings in Darwen, highlights the College’s commitment to create change in our local community and drive economic growth for our region.”

Dr Fazal Dad, principal and chief executive at Blackburn College, said: “Blackburn College is delighted to launch the Darwen Community Learning Programme, a community we are absolutely committed to supporting.

“We are very pleased to offer courses and training to adults in Darwen, some of who will be unemployed, in order to help them get started or further their career in difficult times.”

A Digital Employability Skills course is also available for jobseekers who need to know how to use online tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, while Essential Digital courses can be studied.

Introduction to Health and Social Care student Frank Sutcliffe (64) said: “I chose to study at Blackburn College because it was signposted to me by my Blackburn Job Centre Plus Work Coach Elizabeth Watt.

“What I’ve enjoyed the most about the course is working with my tutor Cathie Hartley – she is awesome! The College has prepared me for the future by showing me what I need in order to achieve work in the Health and Social Care sector.

“Cathie has supported me so well on my journey. I am now looking to gain employment in the Health and Social Care sector but I’m also looking at completing Blackburn College’s ICT course as well.”

To find out more about the Darwen Community Learning Programme, please contact our Skills for Work Team by emailing SkillsforWorkHub@blackburn.ac.uk or calling 01254 292277.

You can also find out more by visiting www.blackburn.ac.uk/darwen