Skills for Lancashire: The Ripple Effect

Every successful economy has one thing in common – people with the right skills.

Behind every successful business is a skilled workforce, and behind every skilled workforce is education. That is why developing local talent has never mattered more.

Lancashire is home to world-leading manufacturers, innovative engineering companies, thriving health and social care providers, a growing digital sector, and an ambitious green economy. Together, these industries are driving economic growth, innovation and opportunity across the county.

Yet many employers are facing the same challenge: how do we ensure our workforce has the skills to keep pace with rapid technological change, an ageing workforce and evolving industry needs?

The answer isn’t simply attracting talent from elsewhere. It lies in developing the talent we already have through lifelong learning – one of the most important investments Lancashire can make for individuals, businesses, and communities.

At Preston College, we see the impact of that investment every day.

A changing Lancashire

As experienced employees retire and industries evolve, employers face the dual challenge of replacing critical skills and knowledge, while preparing the next generation of talent. Across manufacturing, engineering, construction, health and social care, digital technologies and clean energy, skills shortages continue to restrict growth. Rather than viewing this challenge alone, Lancashire has an opportunity to invest in its own people through lifelong learning.

Growing our own talent

One of the clearest priorities within Lancashire’s Economic Strategy is the need to grow our own talent.

Adult education has become central to achieving this ambition, by creating opportunities for people to upskill, reskill and progress throughout their working lives, whilst attracting and retaining talented people within the county.

Today’s careers are longer, more varied and increasingly shaped by technological change. Many people will change careers several times, while others will continually update their skills to remain competitive. Returning to education is no longer the exception and is becoming a defining feature of the modern workforce.

Skills designed with employers

Education works best when it reflects the needs of industry. Working alongside hundreds of employers gives Preston College a deep understanding of the skills businesses need today and in the future. That insight shapes our curriculum, ensuring students develop the technical knowledge, practical expertise and professional behaviours employers value, while giving businesses access to a workforce ready for rapidly evolving industries.

Around 45.1% of working-age adults in Lancashire hold a Level 4 qualification or above, compared with 48.0% nationally. Closing that gap presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the county’s higher-level skills base and support long-term economic growth.

Driving innovation through technical education

As a founding member of the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, Preston College is helping transform technical education through close collaboration with employers. Together, we develop higher-level technical skills in sectors where demand continues to grow, giving students access to industry-standard facilities, employer-led learning and qualifications aligned to regional economic priorities.

Technology is changing the way we work and increasing the value of learning

Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing learning; it is increasing the need for it. While AI is automating routine tasks and reshaping industries, it is also increasing demand for people who can think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively and adapt to change. These qualities cannot simply be downloaded or automated, they are developed through education, experience, and lifelong learning.

Measuring the difference

The true measure of success isn’t simply the number of students who enrol. It’s the ripple effect that follows: a parent who retrains and secures a better career; an employer who fills a critical skills gap; a business that grows because it has access to skilled people; a stronger Lancashire economy built one student at a time.

At Preston College, that impact is clear. Last year alone, the College awarded more than 9,000 adult qualifications, helping thousands of people develop new skills, improve their confidence and take the next step in their careers.

The outcomes speak for themselves. Nine in ten adult students progressed into employment or further education, rising to 95% for those studying at Levels 2 and 3. At Level 3, 40% of students progressed to Higher Education, while a further 10% continued their studies within Further Education. More than half (55%) achieved employment-related outcomes, demonstrating the direct contribution adult learning makes to individuals, employers and the wider Lancashire economy.

These aren’t simply statistics. They represent thousands of people changing careers, improving their lives, supporting their families and helping businesses across Lancashire access the skilled workforce they need to grow.

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Investing in Lancashire’s future

At Preston College, we believe education has the power to transform lives, strengthen employers and support the long-term prosperity of our region.

Technology, innovation and investment will all shape Lancashire’s future, but its greatest asset will always be its people. Every adult who chooses to learn, creates opportunities that extend beyond themselves. They strengthen businesses, support families, inspire communities and contribute to a more prosperous county.

That’s the ripple effect of education. When people grow, businesses grow. When businesses grow, communities prosper. And when communities prosper, Lancashire thrives.

Interested in learning more about our partnership with the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology CLICK HERE