TEENAGERS who attend a training centre which is threatened with closure have been assured their courses are safe.

Ninety youngsters aged between 16 and 18 use Blackburn with Darwen Council's St Thomas Centre in Lambeth Street, in the Copy Nook area of Blackburn.

Some of the youngsters say they were told by supervisors that the doors will close in September and students will be transferred to Training 2000 at the Furthergate Industrial Park in Harwood Street.

The future of the centre is in doubt because councillors want to set up a new flagship facility, as part of a council shake-up of training services, which will offer a "one stop shop" for youngsters who need training.

The council has refused to confirm what will happen to the 21 members of staff who work at the agency, which trains youngsters in information technology, catering, reprographics manufacturing and various other skills.

Reports will be presented to two council meetings in August about the future of the agency.

Coun Janice Parker, chairman of the council's lifelong learning committee, said: "We are developing a strategy approach to ensure that the training and development needs of all young people aged 16 to 19 are addressed, including the needs of those trainees at St Thomas' Training Agency.

"As part of this process we are looking at the current role of the training agency. If it were decided that the agency were to close, the council would ensure that all trainees completed their individual training plans as agreed, using other high quality providers. However, one student, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were told as soon as we went in that the place will close on September 30.

"They said that we would probably be transferred to Training 2000. If that is right then all well and good, if that is not true then we don't know what will happen.

"They took 30 trainees on the other week but they explained that to us by saying they had an agreement with ELTEC."

A spokesman for ELTEC said: "St Thomas' Training Centre, as with all local training providers, is an independent training organisation that has been awarded an ELTEC contract to deliver work-based training for young people.

"We have a continuing commitment to ensure that all trainees complete their individual training programmes."

Blackburn with Darwen Council's lifelong learning committee will consider a report on August 4 and the authority's education and training committee will make a final decision on August 18.

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