Preston College Kicks Starts New Academic Year with Insightful Business and Professional Services Sector Advisory Group Meeting

The first Business and Professional Services Sector Advisory Group (SAG) of the 2025/26 academic year took place last week at Preston College, bringing together key employer representatives for a morning of rich, forward-looking discussion.

The session focused on ensuring that the College’s curriculum offer continues tomeet local and regional skills needs, while supporting employers’ training, recruitment, and workforce development priorities.

Topics covered included the ongoing Curriculum Reform and how to continue to expand and embed T Level provision at Preston College, while raising awareness among employers and prospective students. Members also discussed the role of Apprenticeships in helping businesses upskill existing staff and recruit new talent, as well as the future funding opportunities offered by Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), designed to support professional development and staff retention.

A major theme throughout the meeting centred on work readiness and resilience, discussing how students transition into employment, and how employers play an active role in shaping that readiness.

Director of School: Business, Health & Uniformed Services, Samantha McKenna commented,

“Hearing directly from employers about the real challenges they face, and the skills and attitudes they value most, is invaluable. These conversations guide how we adapt our curriculum and embed essential employability skills, ensuring our students leave us not only qualified, but confident, capable, and ready for the workplace.”

Representatives attending from across the sector included:

• Steph Hayes – Preston City Council
• Lucy Taylor – Lancashire Fire and Rescue
• Wendy Parkinson – James Hall
• Katie Gamble – Danbro Accountancy

Preston College extends its thanks to all attendees for their valuable input and ongoing collaboration. The next Business and Professional Services SAG meeting will take place in February 2026, continuing the dialogue on curriculum development, employer engagement, and future workforce needs.

If you are an employer interested in joining one of our Sector Advisory Groups, which cover a wide range of industries, click here

Photo: Members of the Business and Professional Services Sector Advisory Group during the meeting at Preston College.