Dr Lis Smith, Principal and Chief Executive of Preston’s College, said it was still seeing employers investing in growing the skills of their workforce to meet the challenges of the restrictions in place across the economy.
She said there needed to continue to be investment in developing people to ensure they can deliver the level of innovative which will be required to survive and thrive.
Preston’s College is sponsor of the Employer of the Year category at The BIBAs, one of Lancashire’s leading business awards which is open for applications with a £36,000 prize fund on offer to its winners.
Dr Smith said: “The way people are learning and developing new skills has changed as a result of restrictions and, as with many other businesses, we have had to do things more remotely, but the desire to continue to invest in people remains.
“Employers recognise their people are their biggest asset and even at a time when budgets are tight, they need to invest to ensure the innovation which has helped them survive enables them to thrive.
“We are looking forward to hearing the stories of this commitment to their people from businesses across Lancashire when we begin the judging process for The BIBAs for a further year.”
The BIBAs has 19 prize categories open for entries from businesses and the people behind them in Lancashire with the application window closing on April 30.
Judges have been selected from across a wide range of sectors to review all entries before the conduct virtual interviews with the finalists and select their finalists, which will be unveiled in August.
A lifetime achievement award, the Lancastrian of the Year, is the special 20th award which is selected by a panel of former winners of the award and given to an individual who has gone above and beyond to support the county’s economy.
For full details and to enter, visit www.thebibas.co.uk.