I WAS invited last week to Blackburn College's annual Art & Design exhibition. I Chair the College Board.

The place was buzzing as the exhibition spread across most of the campus. Lots of students of all shapes, sizes & ages. Lots of proud Mums & Dads & other family & friends.

Spent some time with one young guy, think he was 21 & from Burnley, who admitted he'd not done so well at school in Maths & English.

He'd now got the necessary qualifications & his design portfolio was all around helping people improve their spelling & other quite commonly experienced barriers to achieving.

Wearing bow tie & tux, he was quite confident in explaining his journey so far & where he hoped to go next - University.

Dropping down a floor or two in our Beacon Centre, I arrived in a textile & design area. Being the age I am, it's not always easy to discern teacher from student, but I was introduced to a really lively young woman, aged around 19, from Accrington.

She'd done a design portfolio around "seasons":- some fabric, wall coverings & a light shade. She, similarly confidently, explained the concepts & challenges of her idea & putting it into practice.

I pressed her on next steps, career wise. She was fully sorted:- some constraints, some real aspirations, saw some great future stepping stones.

I nosied around a bit more, chatted to a few staff & then came away totally buoyed & optimistic about the future.

What's that old tune? What's the matter with kids today?

Not a lot?

We have a responsibility to open up opportunity to all young people regardless of aspiration or attainment.

They have to take these opportunities! It's a partnership with teachers, families, employers & students all in to all of our mutual best interest.