A LONG-serving East Lancashire headteacher has given the thumbs-up to a local scheme which aims to educate teachers about training opportunities and recruitment for pupils.

John Gosling, of Blackburn Witton Park High, was among a group of heads who took part in a three-day Teachers into Training Providers programme organised by East Lancashire Education Business Partnerships and ELTEC.

Teachers visited local training providers like Training 2000, North Lancs Training Group and Pendle Training to see what options are open to young people on the country's top recruitment and training programme XTEND.

John, a teacher for 33 years and head of Witton Park for the past 15 years, said: "I found the programme very interesting and it taught me a lot about XTEND, in particular how it helps not only to train young people but recruit them too.

"It has given me a much better understanding of the different types of careers and qualifications available through the scheme, particular higher level qualifications, some of which I didn't know you could achieve via the training route."

Any teachers interested in taking part in the programme should contact Kay Renton at East Lancashire Business Partnerships on 01254 389898.

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