Our Vision
The Preston Vocational Centre is committed to providing vocational training and other support of the highest quality to the young people and adults of Preston & District. We will offer a range of training, learning and development opportunities to young people and adults in order that they can progress to apprenticeships, employment or further education and take a positive step to achieving their personal, economic and social potential in Lancashire.

Our Mission
Our mission is to be Preston’s leading centre of alternative vocational provision which is focused on the needs of our learners and which leads to progression and opportunities in the world of work.

Our Commitment
We strive to be the first choice for schools, learners and other stakeholders who require vocational training provision leading to a progressive and recognised learning route to continue to the world of work. We will continually set high standards and go the extra mile to set us apart from any competitors. We are dedicated to bringing those young people at risk of not entering training, employment or education and equipping them with the confidence and skills to move forward.

We will work with all our learners to achieve a recognised qualification, and, if not, get them to a level upon which they can build themselves a positive future.

Project activities: a structured programme which develops craft skills in bricklaying, joinery and carpentry, painting and decorating, plastering & Tiling, CSCS card employability skills, Life Skills, Numeracy & Literacy as well as health and safety for individuals and groups from a wide catchment area.

The nature of the activities is to provide structured learning provision that will be fun/informal and challenging. It will engage any of the priority target group of learners in a way that is appropriate to their learning style.

The ethos of the centre is to encourage behaviours appropriate to the workplace. There is a culture of mutual respect, to which learners respond positively. Our experience shows that they flourish in this environment; their attendance and behaviours improve, and they achieve numeracy on the back of their activities (numeracy is vital in construction).
Preston Vocational Centre has worked with all the target groups by working with partners to provide appropriate levels of learning. It has developed a real aptitude for working with more challenging young people, and has a strong track record of improving engagement, behaviours and providing qualifications.

The Centre is developing skills and aptitudes to help people progress into employment. Construction is still a significant sector; there are build programmes planned and being executed in Preston; the Tithebarn project would give the sector a major boost. Repair and maintenance of social housing is an ongoing market, and the centre has ever strengthening links. It provides enterprise experience by working with initiatives such as GIFT 92, which repairs and refurbishes furniture.

The Centre provides bespoke provision and therefore can provide learning/support throughout the year (we are open throughout the year apart from a Christmas break). It has a flexible approach to delivery, and will therefore provide in line with affordability and requirement of a particular group.