LMC Celebrates As Successful UKSPF Project Comes To An End

The Employer Hub @ Lancaster & Morecambe College (LMC) has been proud to have been part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) project since September 2023. During this time, we have continued to deliver high‑quality business support, education, and workforce development opportunities to employers across the district. The project has centred on addressing local skills shortages, supporting business growth, and enabling employees to gain the skills required to progress within their organisations.

A dedicated team of specialist lecturers, and project administrators has worked collaboratively with businesses to identify training needs and deliver responsive, high‑impact provision. Training has been closely aligned with local labour market priorities, including sustainability, digital transformation, leadership development, sector‑specific upskilling, and support for organisations working towards decarbonisation.

The Employer Hub has delivered both accredited qualifications and bespoke non‑accredited training, complementing mainstream provision and creating clear progression routes into further education, apprenticeships, and employment.

Delivery and Engagement

Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Lancaster & Morecambe College has delivered a diverse programme of funded courses to local businesses, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and community organisations. Provision has been shaped through strong collaboration with employers, local councils, Jobcentre Plus, and community partners, ensuring alignment with emerging sector priorities and workforce development needs.

Training has supported businesses to address skills shortages, develop staff capability, increase sustainability awareness, plan for decarbonisation, and upskill employees in sector‑specific areas. Introductory courses and qualifications have also enabled progression into apprenticeships and further education.

Key Achievements (September 23 – March 2026)

Achievement	Outcome
Training courses delivered	370 +
Delegates engaged	2,230+
Employers supported	300+
Enterprises receiving non‑financial support	340+
People supported to access a basic skill	1,370+
People progressing into education & training	150+
People achieving a basic skill	1000+

These figures demonstrate the scale and reach of the Employer Hub’s activity across the district.

Range of Courses Delivered

Training has been delivered across a wide range of business‑critical and sector‑specific areas, including:

• Leadership & Management Over 100 delegates achieved a CMI qualification
• Digital & Business Skills over 300 delegates trained in Excel and digital skills
• Sustainability & Decarbonisation over 120 delegates trained
• Hospitality & Catering, compliance and safety over 400 delegates qualified in Food safety & Allergen awareness
• Care sector & Community‑Focused Provision including Taxi training over 160 delegates

This breadth of provision reflects the Employer Hub’s ability to respond flexibly to employer needs and emerging labour market trends.

Course Feedback and Quality Indicators

Over 750 pieces of individual feedback have been collected, providing valuable insight into strengths, areas for development, and the overall impact of the training.

Delegates consistently rated the training highly for:

• Quality of teaching
• Relevance of content
• Practical application
• Learning environment
• Opportunity to Upskill

Feedback has been used to refine course content, enhance delivery, and ensure training remains aligned with employer needs.

Delegate Testimonials

A selection of comments highlights the quality and impact of the training:

• “An excellent facilitator and initiated very interesting discussions. The Employer Hub is a modern, professional environment and I look forward to the next session.”
• “The tutor was extremely knowledgeable and tailored the course to our needs. I’ve already applied what I learned in my workplace.”
• “The session was brilliant—well paced, interactive, and clearly delivered. It raised my awareness of organisational culture and improved my confidence.”
• “The tutor adapted the material to our questions and needs. It was one of the best training sessions I’ve attended.”
• “A refreshing course—interactive, engaging, and delivered with passion.”

These testimonials reflect the consistently high standard of delivery and the value placed on the Employer Hub by local businesses.

Organisational Impact

Follow‑up evaluation with employers demonstrates strong evidence of positive organisational change:

• 91% of attendees reported implementing changes as a direct result of the training. These included improved recruitment processes, updated documentation, enhanced staff management practices, and more compliant operational procedures (e.g., allergen management).
• 100% of attendees stated that tutors were knowledgeable and that the training was relevant to their role.
• 97% of attendees very strongly agreed that the training has been beneficial to their development.

These outcomes highlight the Employer Hub’s role in driving meaningful improvements within local organisations.

Summary

The Employer Hub @ LMC has delivered significant impact across the district, supporting businesses to upskill their workforce, adopt new practices, and respond to emerging challenges. The project has strengthened employer relationships, enhanced productivity, and created clear pathways for progression into further training and apprenticeships.

The scale of delivery, quality of training, and strong employer feedback demonstrate the continued need for accessible, responsive, and high‑quality skills provision to support local economic growth.

UKSPF NEET & At Risk Learners Project

Alongside the extensive employer‑focused activity delivered through the Employer Hub, Lancaster & Morecambe College has also delivered a highly impactful UKSPF‑funded programme supporting NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and at‑risk young people across the district. This strand of the project has focused on early engagement, confidence‑building, and supporting young people to progress into positive destinations.

A total of 253 learners engaged with a range of interventions, including Positive Prospects, Pathway Pioneers, half‑term engagement projects, and college taster sessions. These activities were designed to raise aspirations, improve participation, and provide structured pathways into education, employment, or training.

Overall Outcomes

The project has delivered strong and measurable impact:

Outcome	Number of Learners	% of Cohort
Remained in education at LMC	90	35.7%
Remain in school	55	21.8%
Progressed into employment	26	10.3%
Secured apprenticeships	4	1.6%
Moved into other destinations (e.g., personal development, alternative provision)	14	5.5%
Remain NEET	64	25.4%

Overall, 74.6% of participants progressed into education, employment, or training, a significant achievement given the barriers faced by many learners in this cohort.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Place to Learn

A defining strength of the NEET & At‑Risk Learners Project has been its ability to create a safe, welcoming, and non‑judgemental environment. Many participants had previously experienced disrupted education, low confidence, or negative school experiences. The programme provided a space where they felt respected, listened to, and supported.

This environment enabled learners to:

• Build confidence at a pace that suited them
• Explore new opportunities without fear of failure
• Develop positive relationships with staff and peers
• Experience success through small, manageable steps
• Rebuild trust in education and training settings

This sense of belonging has been central to sustained engagement and progression into positive destinations.

The Importance of Skilled, Trusted Staff

The success of the project is strongly linked to the expertise and commitment of the staff delivering it. Supporting NEET and at‑risk learners requires a specialist approach that goes beyond traditional programme delivery.

Staff demonstrated:

• Strong relational skills to build trust with disengaged young people
• Consistency and reliability, offering a stable point of contact
• Deep understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable learners
• The ability to motivate, inspire, and re‑engage those with low aspirations
• Flexibility to personalise support and respond to individual needs

The positive outcomes, particularly the high proportion of learners remaining in education or progressing into employment, reflect the quality of these relationships and the tailored support provided.

The UKSPF NEET & At‑Risk Learners Project has delivered significant and lasting impact, supporting young people to re‑engage with education, build confidence, and progress into meaningful next steps. With nearly three‑quarters of participants moving into education, employment, or training, the project demonstrates the value of early engagement, structured support, and skilled staff in transforming outcomes for vulnerable young people.

Updated Combined Summary

Together, the Employer Hub @ LMC and the UKSPF NEET & At‑Risk Learners Project illustrate the breadth and depth of Lancaster & Morecambe College’s contribution to local skills development, economic growth, and community wellbeing.

Across both projects, LMC has:

• Supported employers to address skills shortages and develop their workforce
• Delivered over 370 high‑quality training courses to more than 2,200 delegates
• Strengthened employer relationships and created clear progression pathways
• Provided targeted support to 253 vulnerable young people
• Enabled 74.6% of NEET and at‑risk learners to progress into positive destinations
• Created safe, supportive environments that build confidence and aspiration

These outcomes highlight the continued need for accessible, responsive, and high‑quality skills provision across the district and the vital role LMC plays in supporting both businesses and young people to thrive.