Apprenticeship and training provider putting people on the road to successful careers

A £400k racing car was the star of the show as a Blackpool-based apprenticeship and training provider went on the road.

Illuminate Training Solutions (ITS) – part of the Blackpool and The Fylde College family – attended the Skills Show 2016 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham this week, to discuss future career options with the thousands of people who attended.

And the undisputed main attraction at the ITS stand was the sleek TBR Speed 12, based on the Blackpool-built TVR Cerbera.

The vehicle was on loan from Helical Technology – a Lytham company with which the College is working to provide training and apprenticeships.

Dawn Leak, Director of Employer Responsiveness for Illuminate Training Solutions, said: “The Skills Show is an event we attend each year as it is a fabulous opportunity to showcase what the College can offer for those thinking about future career options through apprenticeships.

“We’d like to thank Helical Technology for loaning us such an amazing car, which was made by skilled engineers in Lancashire, and we look forward to working with them to provide the training and skills for a workforce who can continue building such wonderful vehicles.”

The Shadow Skills and Apprenticeships Minister, Blackpool MP Gordon Marsden, also paid a visit to the ITS stand and took the opportunity to sit in the racing car, which can reach speeds of up to 220mph.

He said: “As well as all the usual enthusiasm of the Skills Show, it was great to see Blackpool and The Fylde College and Illuminate Training Solutions’ name up in lights at the event.

“It was also fantastic to see the TVR model car on display as an example of our long history of showing excellence in this area.

“I hope this will encourage many people, particularly those from Blackpool, into following up opportunities to advance their careers through the College.”

The Skills Show was attended by thousands of young people from across the UK, as well as older candidates exploring a potential career change.

Companies hosting stands included BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Siemens and the BBC, to give delegates a taste of a wide range of different employment options.

As well as the opportunity to view the Helical Racing car, the ITS stand saw people given the chance to take a test which identified a potential career for them, offered a free wrap cooked by a College tutor and the chance to be photographed in a photo booth with industry-themed props.

They were also provided with a goodie bag and information about the apprenticeship and training options through Illuminate Training Solutions.

Image: Gordon Marsden MP with Cheryl Dunn, Vice Principal HE & Student Enhancement at B&FC