YOUR headline 'Students failed' as colleges struggle to employ (LET, May 7) is taken from the Chief Inspector's Ofsted and Adult Learning Inspectorate Report for 2001/2002 which did not include any Lancashire colleges.

It is therefore taken out of local context and potentially alarming to local students.

Blackburn College has an increasing number of students in health, social care and public services - currently 154 full-time and 571 part-time, on courses at all levels from foundation to professional including practice managers and certificate of management studies.

It is also involved in an innovative NVQ programme with all Blackburn with Darwen Social Services staff in care homes.

We are also working with residential homes to undertake skills audits for staff and then delivering appropriate training, including linking Skills for Life into such qualifications.

In relation to public services, some excellent work is taking place with all public sector employers to raise aspirations with students, in particular Asian heritage.

We continue to successfully appoint staff and are pleased to report that students are doing well, obtaining good results and obtaining work within these sectors which are booming - they are definitely "not failed".

SHEENA M EWING, Principal and Chief Executive, Blackburn College.