Preston Vocational Centre

Name

Preston Vocational Centre

Legal name

Preston Vocational Centre

Website

https://prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Construction Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), Industry Credential, Certification & Badge Prep (Non-Degree) (EDAMAKAH), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM)

Keywords

• Construction vocational training
• Pre-apprenticeship programmes
• Alternative education provision
• SEND vocational training
• NEET prevention programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable Funding and Grants: As a registered charity (Number 1135863) and subsidiary of Community Gateway Association, PVC operates primarily through charitable funding, grants, and public sector partnerships. Funded by Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire for diversion programmes. UKSPF funding support.
2. Donations and Patron Support: Financial donations from patrons including Conlon Construction and other corporate sponsors. Material donations of building supplies, tools, and equipment from construction industry partners. Weekly bread donations from Warburtons. Ongoing patron programme with Gold, Silver, and Platinum tiers.
3. Apprenticeship Placement Fees: While the primary training is free for students, PVC facilitates apprenticeship placements with employer partners which creates ongoing relationships and potential future sponsorship opportunities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Preston Vocational Centre provides construction-based vocational training and pastoral support to young people and adults aged 14-25 in Preston and Lancashire. Core offerings are four programmes (Building Skills, Building Futures, SEND Groups, Alternative Education) covering construction trades including bricklaying, plastering, joinery, plumbing, tiling, painting and decorating, and electrical work, with learners earning City & Guilds Level 1 qualifications and progressing to apprenticeships with employer partners.

Product overview

Preston Vocational Centre offers a unified suite of vocational construction training programmes for young people and adults. The core offerings comprise four distinct programmes: Building Skills (14-16 schools link), Building Futures (16-18 pre-apprenticeship), SEND Groups (14-25 special educational needs), and Alternative Education (14-16 alternative placements). These programmes provide practical training across construction trades including bricklaying, plastering, joinery, plumbing, tiling, painting and decorating, and electrical work, leading to City & Guilds qualifications. The Centre also runs community projects where learners apply their skills to benefit local communities. The programmes work together as a progressive pathway from initial training through to apprenticeship and employment in the construction industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Skills Vocational training course for school students aged 14-16 (years 10-11) providing hands-on construction skills introduction across multiple trades through the schools link programme. Students are referred by schools and attend the centre for practical taster sessions in construction trades as alternative or supplementary education, leading toward City & Guilds Level 1 qualifications.
• Building Futures Pre-apprenticeship training programme for young people aged 16-18 designed to prepare them for careers in the construction industry through practical vocational training across bricklaying, plastering, joinery, plumbing, tiling, painting and decorating, and electrical work. Learners earn City & Guilds Level 1 qualifications and progress to apprenticeships with employer partners such as Keepmoat, Persimmon Homes, JFN, Bell Group, and CCH Joinery.
• SEND Groups Specialist vocational training programme for students aged 14-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, providing construction skills in a supportive environment. Delivered as school or college group placements with tailored support and smaller group settings, the programme develops practical skills and confidence for future employment.
• Alternative Education Individual or group placements for young people aged 14-16 not suited to mainstream classroom education, offering practical construction training as an alternative educational pathway. The programme addresses disengagement from traditional academic settings and supports students at risk of becoming NEET.
• Community Projects Practical community benefit projects where learners apply their construction trade skills to improve local spaces, including garden transformations and planter installations. These projects give students real-world experience while benefiting local communities in Preston and Lancashire.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of 2024/25 students progressed to further training, education or employment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Community Gateway Association (CGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009CGA is the parent organization of Preston Vocational Centre. PVC is the charitable subsidiary of CGA, operating as part of their community investment and social value initiatives. CGA's Chief Executive Rob Wakefield and organization sponsor PVC awards and provide strategic oversight through the Board relationship.
• JFN Integrated SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical contractors providing apprenticeships to PVC graduates. Director Chris Keeney sits on PVC's Board of Trustees. Company has provided upgraded fire and security equipment to keep learners safe. Proud sponsors of annual student awards. Isaac Robinson and other former students employed as apprentices.
• Keepmoat HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor housing developer with strong relationship delivering NEET programmes during summer holidays, apprenticeships, employability sessions, site visits, and construction training programmes. Funded Pathway to Progress programme in partnership with Police and Crime Commissioner. Taking on apprentices including Bradley for bricklaying.
• Bell GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPainting and decorating company that connected with PVC in 2023 to support learners through work experience and apprenticeships. Donated paint for training courses. Offered Jess a two-year Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship after her placement impressed the team.
• CCH JoinerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoinery company providing apprenticeships and work placements for PVC students. Max Jones secured apprenticeship with CCH after his placement. Company sponsors Outstanding Achievement in Joinery and Carpentry Award. Representative sits on PVC Board.
• Persimmon HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing developer providing cash donations, material donations including block and timber, interview coaching for all students, and apprenticeships. Hosted site tours during National Apprenticeship Week. Anthony Mansfield, Managing Director for Lancashire and Cumbria, engaged with PVC learners.
• Conlon ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing patron making generous cash donations each year and running joint events with PVC. Sponsor of Student of the Year award at annual awards ceremony.
• Barnfield ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company sponsoring Best All-Round Ability award at annual awards. Makes regular material donations to the centre. Long-standing supporter.
• SeddonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company providing both financial support and material donations used in lessons across the centre. Sponsor of Outstanding Achievement in Painting and Decorating award.
• Xacom Project ControlsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPassionate supporter sponsoring student awards annually. Director Mick Higgins has been Chair of PVC's Board since 2021 and plays very active role in guiding the organisation.
• Sika TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides cash and material donations. Has supported learners by running training days, helping them improve skills and gain experience for their CVs. Sponsor of Outstanding Achievement in Tiling award.
• Travis PerkinsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding materials supplier sponsoring Most Improved Student award at annual awards ceremony.
• GK Construction & Project ManagementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdlington-based construction company that donated significant building materials including timber, air source heat pumps, and first-fit/second-fit items. Completed affordable homes for CGA at Savick regeneration. Committed to supporting PVC through social value agreement.
• ISG LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerously donated materials to support course delivery including packs of tiles and adhesive, copper pipe, copper fittings, and timber.
• I&R Demolition LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided material donations including copper, electrical cable, and scrap materials from construction demolitions.
• WarburtonssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over 10 years, Warburtons have donated loaves of bread weekly to keep students fed every morning during training.
• City & GuildscoreTechnology or IntegrationQualification body providing endorsed credentials for PVC courses. Students obtain City & Guilds Level 1 Awards and Diplomas in Construction and Construction Skills upon completion.
• Lancashire County Council - Virtual SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVirtual School ensures students too ill to attend school in person or needing education at home have access to appropriate provision. PVC is part of their offer, providing construction-based training opportunities for young people in school years 10 and 11.
• Police and Crime Commissioner for LancashiremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded Pathway to Progress programme in partnership with Keepmoat and PVC. Programme designed to support young people through diversion, prevention and intervention strategies during summer holidays.
• Prince's TrustsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharity that introduced participants to Pathway to Progress programme. Refer young people who could benefit from PVC's construction training and diversion programmes.
• Bradley Demolition LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDemolition company that provided site visit opportunity for PVC learners to observe live demolition at Ribble Heights, CGA-owned property in Grange, Ribbleton.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Employment Plus: Major UK charity running employment, training and NEET support programmes including construction pathways. Comparable mission around disadvantaged young people into work but operates as part of a much larger welfare-focused charity portfolio.
• The Prince's Trust: Large UK youth charity running NEET prevention programmes including construction-adjacent pathways. PVC is an existing delivery partner via the Pathway to Progress programme, making Prince's Trust a direct upstream/downstream referral channel.
• YMCA England & Wales: Large national youth organisation running training, apprenticeships and alternative education programmes across the UK. Overlaps with PVC on vocational training for disadvantaged young people but at significantly broader scale and geographic reach.
• Catch22: National social purpose charity delivering NEET reduction, alternative education and vocational pathways for young people. Operates at much greater scale but shares PVC's target cohorts and outcome metrics around education-to-employment progression.
• National Construction College (CITB): Industry training body (Construction Industry Training Board) operating national construction colleges delivering trade training and apprenticeships. Comparable curriculum content (bricklaying, plastering, joinery etc.) but serves a much broader, industry-wide trainee base.

Emerging players

• Groundwork UK: Federated UK charity network running community-based environmental and construction training projects with young people. Shares PVC's emphasis on community projects (e.g. planters, garden transformations) as a learning vehicle but operates more broadly across green/environmental construction.

Direct peers

• Construction Youth Trust: UK charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people access construction careers through training, mentoring and work placements — directly mirrors PVC's target cohort, mission and apprenticeship pathway model.
• Building Heroes: UK charity delivering construction trade training to disadvantaged groups (initially military veterans, now expanded), with hands-on multi-trade programmes leading to employment — closely comparable operational and mission model to PVC.

Regional players

• Preston College: Local further education college in Preston offering construction trade courses to 16-18 year olds. Operates in the same geographic catchment and serves overlapping age cohorts, but as a state-funded FE institution rather than a charity.

Others

• City & Guilds: Awarding body whose Level 1 Construction credentials PVC delivers to its students. Functions as a critical enabler/infrastructure partner rather than a competitor, but is a comparable stakeholder in the vocational training ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PrestonVocation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preston-vocational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Preston Vocational Centre