Opinion: An exciting summer for business

Nelson and Colne College principal Amanda Melton discusses education's role in achieving the Lancashire Growth Plan.

However, the real challenge remains in ensuring that our part in the talent development journey is delivering the right skills for employers and realistic career expectations for students.

This is a pilot project advertising apprenticeship and job vacancies, providing initial assessment and interview services and delivering training to fill the skills gaps.

It's a complex issue. Priorities in schools are firmly, and correctly in my view, on ensuring school leavers have the essential building blocks to enable them to enter apprenticeships and college courses successfully.

The challenge is to ensure pupils don't start down the wrong path at an early stage, unaware of realistic opportunities for career development or the fast-developing job market, particularly when degree courses demand high fees and don't always guarantee career success.Amanda MeltonPrincipal and chief executiveNelson and Colne College