Students from the East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) have delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s Lancashire Colleges Skills Competition, earning medals and top placements across a variety of disciplines. This marks one of the group’s most successful showings at the annual event.
Nelson and Colne College (NCC) secured gold in Cyber Security on home turf, hosting the competition on 17 March, while Accrington and Rossendale College (ARC) welcomed competitors to their campus for the Construction events on 13 March, going on to claim first place in both the Carpentry and Joinery and Electrical Installation categories.
Competing in front of live audiences, students tackled industry-standard practical challenges judged by employers and professionals. These tasks mirrored real-world workplace scenarios, testing participants’ teamwork, innovation, and technical expertise.
Ayub Moosa, Head of Division for Construction, Motor Vehicle, and Green Technologies at ARC, commended the students’ performance: “To see our construction students take first place in Carpentry and Joinery and Electrical Installation is a real achievement. These were tough, practical challenges judged by industry professionals, and our students rose to them brilliantly. It reflects the quality of what they do every day.”
Saiqa Zulfiqar, Head of Division for Creative and Digital at NCC, celebrated the gold medal win: “Winning gold in Cyber Security is a fantastic result and a testament to the dedication and talent of our students. Cyber is a fast-moving, highly demanding field, and to come out on top against strong competition from across Lancashire is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Beyond these headline results, ELLG students showcased their versatility and talent across multiple disciplines. They claimed first place in Automotive, second in Hair and Young Enterprise, and earned Medals of Excellence in Sport, Digital, Health and Early Years categories.
This year’s event also showcased the impact of the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology (IoTL&C), a partnership of colleges, universities, and employers across the North West. Each college, including NCC and ARC, put forward a team of learners enrolled on IoT courses at their campus, underlining the value of collaboration in preparing the future workforce.
The competition, held between 2 and 18 March 2026, brought together nearly 300 students from across Lancashire to compete in 11 disciplines.
Sponsored by the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub and Future U, the event also welcomed prominent employers such as Vital Synergy, Greengates, and The Senator Group. Their involvement highlighted the competition’s vital role in bridging the gap between education and industry.
