WIGAN & Leigh College is the first college in the borough to achieve all eight of the Gatsby benchmarks that define career provision.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework that define the best careers provision in secondary schools and colleges.

Recognition of this achievement was confirmed in their recent compass audit and proof that the College has excelled in meeting the criteria set out in the benchmarks.

The benchmarks include: creating a stable careers programme, learning from career and labour market information, addressing the needs of each pupil and experiencing workplaces.

The College works with a wide range of employers and has partnerships including: Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Sellafield Ltd. Wigan Council, Army, Royal Navy and RAF, HSBC, Alcedo Care, Rolls Royce, Atkins, Keepmoat and the North West Ambulance Service. The College also has placement programmes in place with Wigan Council, Nippon Electric Glass, Waterfields Bakery and Kraft Heinz.

College principal, Anna Dawe also champions careers at a Greater Manchester level and the college is one of the lead colleges as part of the Bridge GM Careers Hub.

Karl Grimes, Bridge GM Careers Lead said: “Careers Education is not seen as a nice to have at Wigan & Leigh College, it is a must have and this is driven from the Principal. They have a team of dedicated professionals working in innovative ways to engage young people in thinking about their future aspirations.

"The commitment of the College’s Careers Leader to working collaboratively as part of the Greater Manchester Careers Hub is to be commended.”

Emma Bailie, Enterprise Co-ordinator for Bridge GM Careers Hub said: “I have been so impressed with the ‘can do’ attitude from every member of the Wigan & Leigh College team. Careers education is truly at the heart of everything the College does.

"They have taken the Gatsby Benchmarks, and challenged themselves to achieve them as quickly as possible while still improving the quality of provision for their students.”