BURY-based training Solutions has been ranked as one of the best training providers in the north west.

For the apprenticeship training division of Bury College has received a grade 2 in its latest re-inspection report. Training Solutions has developed extensive quality procedures and produced excellent Learner achievements over the past year, resulting in the high grade.

Its quality of training has been confirmed with the award of a grade 2 for the business administration sector at audit from the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). This is only the third grade 2 provision awarded by ALI for business administration in the north west in the current academic year.

The inspection was carried out by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). The college was praised by inspectors for the significant changes that were made to the management of work-based learning, including the appointment of staff to strengthen support activity for students.

Andy Turner, who has recently been appointed as work-based learning manager of Training Solutions, commented: "After the excellent inspection report I would now like to raise the profile of work-based learning in Bury, Bolton and surrounding areas further.

"I also aim to develop further the options available to local schools to assist with vocational learning, to offer schoolchildren the option of real work experience and work-related qualifications".

Among the key strengths identified in the inspection report were very good teaching, high pass rates, high retention rates and effective management of college-based courses. The college was also commended for its restructuring to ensure that there is systematic monitoring of student progress enabling earlier student success. A new student tracking system has been implemented which enables any slow progress to be identified.

With active engagement of more than 300 local employers currently, Training Solutions is delivering to in excess of 500 apprentices over a wide variety of occupational areas, including childcare, administration, IT, care of the elderly, catering and hairdressing. Many local employers also utilize the free recruitment service offered by Training Solutions, which provides a proven way for young people under 25 to enter employment and training.