The Mayor of Bury has officially opened a major extension to Achieve Training’s Birch Business Park site, signalling a new chapter for the alternative education provider supporting young people across the North West.
Councillor Khalid Hussain and Mayoress Carol Bernstein were welcomed to the upgraded facility at the end of April, which has significantly increased in capacity to meet growing demand for personalised, vocational education. The event marked a milestone for the training provider, which has spent the last decade working with students who face barriers in mainstream education.
Director of Achieve Training, Emma Booth, said the organisation is focused on more than just academics. “Education at Achieve Training goes beyond textbooks,” she said. “We focus on preparing young people for life – blending academic learning with hands-on experience, personal development, and vocational skills. Every young person deserves a clear path to success, and we’re here to help them find it.”
The newly extended site will now be able to accommodate more students, with additional resources and space to deliver a broader curriculum. The centre’s student-focused model, characterised by small group teaching and one-to-one mentoring, has led to notable improvements, including an 83% increase in attendance over the last two years and the completion of 104 vocational courses during that period.
Achieve Training supports secondary school students who may be struggling with traditional classroom learning, offering a supportive and practical environment that helps build confidence and skills for the future. Its collaborative approach involves close coordination with families and schools to develop tailored learning plans.
The organisation’s emphasis on vocational learning and life skills, alongside academic support, is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. The extension project will allow Achieve Training to further diversify its offering, helping more students prepare for careers or continued education.
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