BLACKBURN College has launched a range of new courses for public sector employees.

Bosses at the college's centre for care, health, and public services have reviewed existing courses and developed a new programme for 2006/2007.

The main focus of the new programme is a range of cadet schemes, linked to careers in the public sector.

They have been developed in partnership with the East Lancashire Acute NHS Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Blackburn with Darwen Social Services.

The courses are particularly aimed at full-time students wishing to forge a career in nursing, non-clinical health service work and social services but the college plans to broaden it into other public sector areas.

On completion of the courses students can then go on to study advanced nursing and social services courses.

More information on the courses will be available at an open evening tomorrow at the college's Blakey Moor Building from 6pm to 8pm.