Burnley College hosts Inaugural Thrive Summit: A Pioneering Post-Election Skills Update

Thrive Summit - 26.09.24 - Burnley College - web ver-35.jpg.jpg

Burnley College proudly hosted the first Thrive Summit, a pivotal event aimed at equipping Lancashire’s business leaders with crucial insights following the General Election.

The summit, attended by over 75 industry leaders, highlighted the College's leading role in shaping the future of skills training and workforce empowerment.

The event got underway with an inspiring address by Neil Burrows, Director of Skills, Innovation and Employer Engagement at Burnley College. Neil emphasised the transformative power of skills training in driving business success and personal growth within the community.

Neil said: “The Thrive Summit successfully brought together industry leaders to share insights and forge meaningful collaborations. The Summit really highlighted our ongoing commitment to empowering local businesses through innovative skills training. 

“The enthusiasm and shared knowledge exhibited at the Summit set an incredibly positive scene for future initiatives, ensuring Burnley College remains at the forefront of driving regional growth and development.”

Keynote speakers brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Summit. Damian Waters, Regional Director of the Confederation of British Industry in the North West, provided an in-depth analysis of the national skills agenda, aligning with the Summit’s focus on proactive engagement and strategic foresight.

Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration at Lancashire County Council, shared valuable insights into the county’s skills initiatives solidifying the summit's relevance and impact.

An address by Lukman Patel, Chief Executive of Burnley Borough Council, highlighted Burnley's ambitious plans for skills development, including the borough’s first schools’ careers event in a decade, engaging Year 11 students and local businesses.

The Summit also featured a dynamic panel discussion with participants from East Lancs Hospitals NHS Trust, leading employers and Burnley College University Courses. This segment included an exchange of valuable insights on the implications of skills training and opportunities presented by anticipated changes.

Deputy Principal of Burnley College Kate Wallace addressed the summit, providing clarity on the Government’s expectations regarding Burnley College’s educational offerings and reinforcing the institution’s commitment to excellence in education and training.

The Thrive Summit was closed by host Kath Lord-Green, of Voice It PR, who highlighted the value of the gathering, with leaders taking away new ideas, knowledge and contacts which will be key for their future growth.

The Thrive Summit has established itself as an essential forum for ongoing dialogue, bringing about collaboration among regional businesses and stakeholders. Burnley College remains dedicated to supporting the region's economic growth and workforce development by continuously advancing skills training and education.

Are you a business leader considering how Burnley College can support you? Contact Neil Burrows [email protected] for more information.

Burnley College is the number one college in England in the Government’s National Achievement Rate Tables for student success aged 16-18

Enjoyed this? Read more from Burnley College

Latest news

1

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

2

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

3

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

4

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working

10 Sep 2025

5

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 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
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

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

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

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

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin