College welcomes shadow education secretary

By We Love Creative

08 Apr 2015

Apprenticeships were the hot topic for shadow secretary of state for education, Tristram Hunt, when he visited Nelson and Colne College.

College principal Amanda Melton and student governor and A Level student James Goodall were on hand to greet the MP on his visit to Pendle along with county councillor Azhar Ali. James, 16, volunteers with the Pendle Labour Party and plans to progress to university to study politics.

During a roundtable discussion, Mr Hunt MP discussed Labour’s plans for apprenticeships as well as other education policies, including giving all students access to independent advice and guidance and ensuring they are all supported in achieving maths qualifications.

“Tristram gave us an insight into policies Labour will be pushing as part of their election campaign,” said Amanda Melton. “He was very interested in hearing about the importance we place on students leaving us with essential maths qualifications as well as the information and guidance service we offer to all of our students to ensure they leave College knowing what their options are and how to achieve their dream careers.

“Tristram also learned about our strong partnership with local employers and how the apprentices we place with them are helping their companies to grow and succeed.

“We are third in the country for apprenticeship success amongst 16 – 18 year olds and this is something we want to grow.

“Tristram’s pledge for all young people who achieve the right grades to be awarded an apprenticeship is really positive and can only help to encourage more young people to take the apprenticeship route.”

Following the roundtable discussion, Tristram met employers and apprentices from a wide range of sectors. They included Pendle Leisure Trust employees Luke Parkinson and Amy Hindman who have both been awarded full-time employment following the successful completion of their apprenticeships.

Also there was Innova Solutions’ apprentice Max Foxcroft, who said: “It was fantastic to meet Tristram Hunt at the college. The guarantees he gave about the future of apprenticeships were really reassuring and it was good to learn that he wants apprentices to be given the opportunity to go on and develop successful careers with their employers at the end of their training.” Tristram’s visit to the college concluded with a speedy sponge making and Easter egg decorating challenge in Farringtons restaurant. Tristram was challenged to make a 15 second chocolate sponge in the microwave as well as decorating an Easter egg – something he managed with professional looking results.

Latest news

1

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

2

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day Derry Green

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day

21 Oct 2025

3

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary Eden Project garden

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary

21 Oct 2025

4

Lancashire farm named 'Family Farming Business of the Year' British Farming Awards

Lancashire farm named 'Family Farming Business of the Year'

20 Oct 2025

5

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 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 Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

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

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin