Driving Local Economic Growth through Apprenticeships

Last year, research by tech start-up Multiverse showed that Wigan was the best place to be an apprentice in England.

Here at Wigan & Leigh College, we’re proud to be bucking the national trend, with our apprenticeships achievements fairing in an extremely positive light.

We recognise that a strong local economy starts with skilled people. Despite a challenging national apprenticeship landscape, particularly for 16-18-year-olds, we’ve remained committed to increasing participation, addressing skills gaps, and supporting SMEs that drive our economy.

By working closely with employers, we’ve achieved:

• 71.3% achievement rate – exceeding the government target of 70%.
• 47% growth in 16-18 apprenticeship participation since 2021, helping reduce local NEET rates to just 1.9% – below regional and national averages.
• £8.4m projected apprenticeship income for 2024/25, up from £4.8m in 2021, fuelled by a 78% rise in nuclear apprenticeships.

With 73% of our employer partners being SMEs, we continue to develop tailored solutions to ensure workforce readiness in high-priority sectors like engineering, construction, and professional services.

Apprenticeships aren’t just about education—they’re about economic growth, social mobility, and future-proofing our workforce.

We’re proud to be shaping the next generation of talent and making a real impact!