A SUCCESSFUL Furness training facility has been reborn by going independent.

Cumbria Training Centre, based in College House, in Howard Street, Barrow, is a new company made up from members of the team from the former Age UK Training Barrow.

Age UK Training closed its national operation in March due to it receiving an inadequate Ofsted judgement. But the Barrow centre was highlighted for praise by Ofsted in the report, with the education watchdog recognising the Barrow centre's good apprenticeships work.

Ofsted said the Barrow centre had effective teaching, learning and assessments, good progress, good integration of on and off-the-job training, and that the regular and helpful feedback from assessors assisted learners to improve and apply their new skills.

As the national programme ended the Barrow team wanted to continue their good work independently. So Nicola Cassley and her team set up Cumbria Training Centre.

It is now an accredited training provider that delivers government funded training programmes in partnership with Furness College and Lakes College.

They offer pre apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds looking

for work. These involve traineeships and study programme.

The centre also runs a job matching service securing employers and offer apprenticeships at the end of the training.

They run intermediate and advance apprenticeships in business and administration (Levels two to four), childcare (Levels two and three), customer service (Levels two and three), health and social care (Levels two to five), ICT (Levels two to four), health care support (Levels two and three), retail (Levels two and three), management (Levels two to five), warehousing (Level two) and sales (Levels two and three).

Miss Cassley, managing director of Cumbria Training Centre, said: "We felt that this couldn’t be the end of us and decided to keep the centre open independently. We have worked religiously to secure some funding and were delighted when both Furness College and Lakes College agreed to become partners. Cumbria Training Centre was then born and started trading in April."

Miss Cassley has thanked the dedication and support of her exceptional team, the college partners, employers and learners.

She said: "We can't thank Furness College and Lakes College enough for the faith they have in us and their ongoing support.

"We are hopeful also of retaining our relationship with Carlisle College on the Edge, ESF funded programme which should hopefully be starting in the Autumn."

The centre provides tailored provision of creative learning solutions designed to address the needs of professionals, employers and individuals of all ages.

Miss Cassley said they work with a lot of employers throughout Cumbria who have been extremely loyal and supportive during the transition.

The centre has retained partnerships with Cumbria Partnership NHS, Fusion Training and Risedale Estates.