Launchpad opening day is soon!

Blackburn College is proud to announce the upcoming launch of a groundbreaking new educational facility – a first for Lancashire and one of the first of its kind nationally.

Opening at the start of September 2025, the Launchpad Centre is a bold, forward-thinking response to one of the most urgent challenges facing young people today: the rising number of those not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Last week, the Office for National Statistics reported that 948,000 young people in the UK now fall into this category. That’s nearly a million futures in limbo. To us, that number is more than a statistic. It’s a warning signal. 

And it’s why Blackburn College is stepping up.

Introducing Launchpad

Opening this September in the heart of Blackburn town centre, Launchpad will be a dedicated, College-led hub – home to our flagship Future Focus programme. It’s designed to do more than educate – it’s here to re-engage, support and inspire.

Blackburn College has invested close to £1 million to transform the town’s former Debenhams store into a state-of-the-art centre, focused on helping young people reconnect with further education, develop skills, and ultimately find employment.

“Some young people simply can’t cope in a large-scale college environment,” says Matthew Robinson, Executive Director of Student Support and Experience at Blackburn College.

“That’s why we’ve taken this new facility off site, away from the main campus, to create a completely different, smaller, more nurturing space.”

At Launchpad, students will find a welcoming, purpose-designed space that will help to build their confidence and engage with their learning on the Future Focus programme. 

Future Focus will provide: 

• Flexible learning pathways from Entry Level to Level 3
• Small group sizes and personalised, one-to-one support
• The chance to gain GCSE English and Maths, alongside vocational options
• A new and relaxed learning environment in Launchpad

Find out more about Future Focus.

A shared mission for increased impact

We’re proud to be delivering this initiative in collaboration with valued local partners, including Newground Together and Blackburn with Darwen Council. Together, we’re working to ensure no young person is left behind in our region.

This isn’t a new College site – it’s a new approach. Fresh, inclusive, and built around real needs. With Launchpad, we’re setting out to shape a brighter, more connected future for our young people and our wider community.