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

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 Oct 2025

2

Vincents appoints head of probate and head of wills, trust and estate planning Vincents Solicitors’ Private Client Director Lisa Lodge (centre) with Head of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Sean Aldridge (left) and Head of Probate Patricia Prescott (right) at the firm’s Lytham office

Vincents appoints head of probate and head of wills, trust and estate planning

07 Oct 2025

3

fulfilmentcrowd delivers record-breaking growth Lee Thompson and Jon Davies

fulfilmentcrowd delivers record-breaking growth

06 Oct 2025

4

Gearing up for blossoming Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2026 launch event

Gearing up for blossoming Red Rose Awards 2026

06 Oct 2025

5

New managing director at Freedom Heat Pumps Graham McCracken

New managing director at Freedom Heat Pumps

06 Oct 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
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

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace
Muted Blue (4).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
08 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace

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

08:30 - 13:30

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin