Preston's College to help businesses reap employment ROI

In an effort to offer an improved level of support to employers across Lancashire, Preston’s College has launched a new service to bridge the county’s skills gap and help businesses unlock growth through recruitment.

The new employer-facing service, ROI Solutions, has been introduced in a bid to provide companies in the region with a positive return on investment with the staff they hire.

ROI Solutions will aim to give the business community access to a more employable workforce via training schemes, apprenticeships, CPD (continuing professional development) programmes, higher education courses and e-learning.

It will also offer a job vacancy service through which businesses can advertise roles for free, as well as opportunities to network with membership organisations in the area, such as Lancashire Downtown in Business and the Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

ROI Solutions’ general manager, Lisa Edge, said: “We’ve been working closely with more than 1,000 employers at the College for 25 years, and we have utilised that experience to develop an offering we know businesses want and need, reminding them that training is just one way we can help support them.

“Our dedicated team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in each sector from manufacturing and engineering to hair and beauty and retail, and our ultimate aim is to provide a tangible return on investment for businesses from their training and the other support we offer, ensuring we’re meeting the region’s growing demand for higher skills as well as boosting the long-term prospects of the economy.”

ROI Solutions’ launch has coincided with the unveiling of the college’s new £13m innovation and STEM facility, the iSTEM Centre.

Lisa continued: “According to the British Chambers of Commerce, nine out of 10 businesses think school leavers aren’t ready for employment because they lack fundamental workplace skills.

“Lancashire is home to some fantastic businesses and the only way to bridge the skills gap and kick-start our economy is to listen to employers and help to meet their real needs.”

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