Lancashire skills project hits the half way mark

Businesses in Lancashire are being urged to act quickly if they want to secure free workforce training as part of the £5.6m Lancashire Skills Support (LSS) programme.

1,730 employees from 335 businesses across the county are already benefiting from new training and qualifications, representing 45 per cent of the 3,817 places available.

Amanda Melton, deputy chair of the Lancashire Skills Board, said: "Lancashire Skills Support is one of the most important business support programmes we have had in the county. The level of enquiries and the speed at which we have been able to fund this training has been phenomenal.

Businesses qualifying for LSS receive a free training needs analysis with eligible employees, followed by free accredited training from leading providers based on their skills requirements.

The LSS delivery partnership currently includes Accrington and Rossendale College, Age UK Lancashire, Blackburn College, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Burnley College, Joint Learning, Kaplan Financial, Lancashire Adult Learning, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Myerscough College, Nelson and Colne College, Preston's College, Runshaw College, West Lancashire College, and VIA Partnership. LSS has been brought together by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The programme, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).