Burnley College won the Construction Apprenticeship College of the Year award.

Who is Burnley College?

In 1834, a meeting of foundry workers from Marsland’s Foundry led by Thomas Booth and William Wood started a Book Club with the following principles:

  • The books were to be beneficial to working men who wanted to improve themselves.
  • Novels and plays were rejected as they were considered the province of the landed and financially secure classes.

She founded a library of “… useful books on arts and sciences, philosophy, history, voyages, travels and general literature; but no novels, plays, deistical or atheistical works or polemical divinity”. The book club wanted to promote the advancement of knowledge.

This book club was mentioned in John Kneeshaw’s book “Burnley in the Nineteenth Century” (1897), which highlighted the establishment of the Burnley Mechanics’ Institute, the Town College, and later the university.

The foundation stone for the Mechanics Institute was laid in 1851, and it was completed in 1855. This building is now used as the Mechanics Theatre. It was not the first Mechanics Institute in the country, but it was very influential in the area; it made a big improvement for the people of Burnley and the surrounding areas.

Burnley College owes much of its history to the Mechanics Institute. In 1856, the institute appointed teachers and organised classes throughout the area, leading to the establishment of an art school. Within twenty years, the council took over the educational side of the institute, which moved it to the newly built technical institute on Ormerod Road. Ormerod Road was the College’s location until 2009, when it moved to its current location on Princess Way.

The College was appointed the number one college in England for its sixth-form centre.

Along with the sixth form centre, Burnley College accommodates various types of further education, such as vocational, T-Levels, and apprenticeship courses. It continues to strive to improve the skills and development of the people of Burnley and surrounding areas.

We are proud!

As a group of construction professionals, we would like to congratulate Burnley College for winning this award. We are proud of your achievements.

Role in CDA

Burnley College is a member of the Construction Development Alliance (CDA), which provides the educational aspect of the knowledge base.

Allowing a connection between the new up-and-coming students and the eager-to-grow businesses in the construction industry.

What are the Construction Apprenticeship Awards?

The Construction Apprenticeship Awards (CAA) are an esteemed platform that celebrates excellence and recognises the exceptional achievements of Apprentices, Providers, Employers, Suppliers and Assessors in the UK Construction Apprenticeships Sector.

The primary aim of The CAA is to highlight and honour the dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations who play a vital role in shaping the future of construction apprenticeships. By acknowledging and commending their accomplishments, we aim to encourage continuous growth and improvement in the sector.

The CAA takes great pride in providing a stage highlighting the unsung heroes who contribute their time, energy, and expertise to shape the next generation of construction professionals. Through the awards, the CAA aim to foster a sense of pride and motivation within the construction industry as individuals continue to demonstrate excellence in their respective roles.