Oldham company gets Royal seal of approval

Pictured are the Barlows UK Ltd and Clifford College Ltd Management Team (L-R) Nigel Johnson, Health and Safety Director for Barlows and Clifford College, Pauline Elsley, Chair of Governors Clifford College, Christine Haycocks Quality Manager Clifford College and Richard Sand Head of Training Clifford College.

Barlows and Clifford College based in Chadderton, Lancashire have been awarded the Princess Royal Training Award for the second year in succession. This prestigious award is presented at St. James’ Palace by HRH Princess Anne in her role as President of the City & Guilds Group in honour of workplace training and investing in the health and wellbeing of apprentices. 

The company is one of only 43 to receive the awards in 2020.

Now in its fifth year, the Princess Royal Training Awards recognise employers across the United Kingdom with outstanding training and development programmes that have had a direct impact on business performance. 2020 winners demonstrated exceptional commitment to training, despite facing unprecedented challenges of Covid-19. Organisations that have met the standard in 2020 differ in size and sector.

Commenting on this year’s recipients Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group said: “Congratulations to all of the organisations who have achieved the Princess Royal Training Awards standard of excellence this year. “We know that having a highly skilled workforce will be essential as we start to rebuild our economy post Covid-19, and in increasingly uncertain times making sure we invest in people has never been more important, nor has continuing to showcase the impact it has on organisational success.”

These comments are echoed by John Barlow, Managing Director of Barlows (UK) Ltd. saying: “it is a wonderful privilege to win the award to add to our previous successes.  The honour belongs to all the apprentices and staff, as everyone plays their part in our continued growth, both locally and nationally”.  The College is currently training over 140 apprentices across six skills centres with new young people being interviewed for future roles.

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