STUDENTS at a college's highly rated construction department have notched up another success, after their headquarters was named a centre of excellence.

Staff and students at Accrington and Rossendale College's Eagle Street centre are celebrating their selection for adhesives firm UniBond's training scheme.

The initiative aims to give students the best opportunities to develop painting and decorating, plastering, brickwork and carpentry and joinery skills.

The top performer in each year will be presented with a £5,000 award to lay the foundations for a successful career.

College principal Michael Austin, said: "We are the only college in the North West to be recognised in this way and we are clearly the major centre for construction in East Lancashire.

"This initiative will also support future developments in the building and construction work of the college, with UniBond pointing their major customers in our direction for further training."

UniBond marketing manager Ian McDonald, added: "The centres of excellence will be at the forefront of skills and training development for building crafts.

"Selection of the students for the award will not just be made on proven ability in skills training. The colleges will be asking students to submit personal action plans detailing how they intend to progress their careers in employment or businesses of their own."

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