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About Preston Vocational Centre

Find out more about PVC, what makes us special and what it's like to work with us

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Preston Vocational Centre (PVC) is a not-for-profit charity, offering vocational training and education to young people and adults in the Preston area. We support learners' personal development and equip them for further education, training or employment - making positive steps to achieve their potential.

We help young people to engage in learning and increasing their future prospects. We promote a secure, supportive and positive environment which gives everyone a sense of feeling respected and valued.

Learners gain a variety of practical skills during their time with PVC, including:

  • Bricklaying
  • Plumbing
  • Wallpapering
  • Painting
  • Woodwork
  • Plastering
  • Tiling
  • Painting and decorating
  • Carpentry and joinery

They also learn soft skills that will be useful for future employment, such as teamwork, time management, communication and creativity. In addition, all learners will complete a health and safety unit alongside their course topics.

Our History

Preston Vocational Centre was established in 2009, becoming part of the Community Gateway Association (CGA) Group as its charitable subsidiary in 2013. Since 2009, we've welcomed over 7000 learners through our doors, helping them re-engage with education and reach their potential.

We're very proud of the achievements we have achieved over the years, including:

  • Winning the BIBAs for ‘The Educational Establishment of the Year' in 2021
  • Winning the Red Rose Award for Non-Profit Charity in 2020
  • Winning the Selnet Social Enterprise of the Year Award in 2019
  • Winning Social Enterprise of the Year Award in 2018
  • Being finalists in the BIBAs for three years running in 2017, 2018 and 2019
 
Freddie Flintoff visits PVC

In 2022, we also had the pleasure of welcoming former England cricketer, Freddie Flintoff, to the Centre as he returned to his home town for his BBC One show 'Field of Dreams'.

Freddie spoke to budding cricketer and PVC learner, Sean Dunderdale, as part of his aim to show young people from different backgrounds that they can succeed in the sport.

You can watch Sean's chat with Freddie on YouTube here.

Freddie talks to Sean at PVC during filming
Freddie at PVC with Martin