AN inside look at East Lancashire’s new university technical college is set to be given in two towns over the next fortnight.

Open evenings are set to be staged in Blackburn and Nelson for the new Visions Learning Trust development at Victoria Mill in Burnley.

College principal and managing director Martin Gallagher will be on hand to showcase the £10.3million college at Training 2000’s two local bases on Thursday, November 29, and Tuesday, December 2.

Launching in August 2013, for 14 to 19-year-olds, the college will be the first in East Lancs and is designed to appeal to more vocationally-minde students.

Mr Gallagher said: “This is a vital time for young people in the area, especially those who are currently choosing the next steps in their education.

“This event will inform and demonstrate to parents and learners how the UTC will engage young people through hands-on, technical and thematic learning that will give them a real flavour of what life is like in the world of work.”

Construction is currently being overseen by Nelson-based Barnfield Construction and industry partners include Rolls-Royce and Aircelle, and Training 2000, UCLan and Liverpool John Moores University are also backers.

Mr Gallagher added: “Visions Learning Trust will provide a fantastic opportunity for young people to access outstanding education that is linked directly to developing the skills and knowledge that local employers want and need.”

The Nelson gathering, at Training 2000 in Nethefield Road, is on November 29, from 5pm, and at the same time on December 4 at the company’s base in Harwood Street, Blackburn, on the Furthergate Industrial Estate.