BLACKBURN College has been singled out as the best in England for advanced apprenticeships – ahead of 217 colleges around the country.

The recently published national data has revealed that the college’s success rate for advanced apprenticeships is the highest in England, with the college placed first out of 218 colleges.

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The college’s overall success rate for Level Three qualifications is also in the top 10 per cent of colleges nationally, for the second year running.

Bosses at the college have hailed the announcement as an ‘impressive achievement’ that ‘shows the dedication of the staff and employers’ who work with the college to deliver apprenticeships and vocational qualifications across Lancashire .

It comes after the independent Quality Assurance Agency Higher Education Review confirmed the college’s courses in the University Centre had received the highest praise possible.

Thomas Moore, principal and chief executive said: “We are very proud to be confirmed as the most successful college in the country for advanced apprenticeships.

“Maintaining our position in the top 10 per cent of colleges in the country for our vocational success is another exciting achievement for the college.

“It demonstrates why we are the first choice for so many young people and adults in Pennine Lancashire.

“Furthermore, apprenticeships are a key area of growth for the college – in fact, we have grown our provision substantially over the past three years and work with internationally-recognised employers including Senator International and BMW.

“To achieve such fantastic growth, whilst delivering the best advanced apprenticeship timely success rates in the country, can only be good news.”

Tracy Holmes, learning and development advisor at The Senator Group, said: “Senator International have an annual apprentice recruitment programme. It is important to us that we continue to invest in fresh young minds.

“We work with Blackburn College who recently announced that their timely success rate for advanced apprenticeships is the highest in England.”

Simon Jones, who represents Blackburn with Darwen for the National Union of Teachers, said: “I think that this is great news.

“It means that it’s official that the students who enrol on these courses will be given top-quality education while at the college.”