A LANCASHIRE college has become the first in Britain to offer tailor-made degrees and diplomas based on employers' demands.

The made-to-order qualifications ensure students are equipped with the exact skills needed for their chosen profession.

Blackburn College has been given associate licence with Edexcel -- the validating body of higher national diplomas and certificates, which up until now has only been granted to universities.

It means it is able to devise and validate its own HNCs and HNDs, along with foundation degrees.

The Dean of the East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education at Blackburn College, Brian Whitehead, said the college could introduce new courses to reflect the ever-changing world of work.

"We can devise and validate our own HNCs and HNDs to fit in with any training needs of employers. Our foundation degrees are also made to order."

He added: "By being able to offer tailor-made adapted courses students can start work straight away without the need for training.

"Plus we can start from scratch with employers to come up with a completely new course to meet demand."

Made-to-order courses in September include specialist computing, engineering and business HND and HNCs. And Mr Whitehead is throwing the gauntlet down to East Lancashire firms.

"We want them to get in touch and inform us what they want. We can also provide accredited modules to meet specific training requirements, which can stand alone as certificates and used towards HNDs down the line."

Entrepreneur and Blackburn Partnership chairman, Mike Murray, who built up the Blackburn multi-million pound textile firm Cupid Plc, said: "This is excellent news.

"There are two major concerns for employers generally. The first is that degrees match what is needed for individuals to convert in the workplace and the second, perhaps more importantly, is the difficulty to have training that reflects the light footing nature and ever-changing requirements of a modern economy".