Blackpool and The Fylde College

bfc-case-study.jpg

Time and again B&FC has seen business partners make huge leaps by upskilling existing workforces through co-creating training programmes focusing on each organisation’s unique challenges and opportunities.

B&FC has extensive experience collaborating on learning and development solutions.

As you'll read in the case study on Blackpool Transport and B&FC, an organisation-wide skills audit is a great way to identify where you're needing support to strengthen your existing expertise.

B&FC isn’t just here to deliver training – it can help with any or every step of a training and development plan.

Make 2020 your year for people development to deliver sustainable success.

Case study: Blackpool Transport

Life moves quickly at Blackpool Transport. Adapting to the changing needs of customers and embracing new technologies requires a galvanised workforce.

That’s the objective of a long-term learning and training strategy empowering Blackpool Transport's 600-strong team with upskilling opportunities to help the company flex to whatever the future holds.

At the heart of that workforce development plan are apprenticeships, and an innovative approach developed in partnership with B&FC to introduce an in-house learning community.

Sally Shaw, Blackpool Transport’s director of people and stakeholders, said: "A couple of years ago there hadn't really been any significant investment in learning. We didn't know whether there would be a thirst for training among our staff.”

Internal discussions highlighted the Apprenticeship Levy as a crucial funding instrument, and Blackpool Transport called in B&FC early in 2019 to identify how it could best be invested.

Later that year Blackpool Transport and B&FC hosted an open day for apprenticeship opportunities and to launch the company’s training school.

Sally explained: "It was a gamble, a risk. We didn't know what the appetite would be for doing something so different.”

But the response was overwhelming: 43 people of all ages and departments are now signed up to Level 3 and 5 Leadership and Management apprenticeships delivered one day a week at B&FC and supported by the college's dedicated apprenticeships team.

Blackpool Transport is currently conducting a company-wide skills audit to identify further opportunities for upskilling.

Sally said: “Apprenticeship Levy was daunting at first sight - and the college's expertise was hugely beneficial in unpacking that. We've discovered the tremendous benefits of investing in upskilling our existing workforce and working closely with a local college was key.”

  • To read this feature in full and access further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View magazine or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

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

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin