Making Connections That Matter in Lancashire

The Lancashire networking event at Burnley College hosted by Lancashire Business View gave us a chance to connect with local organisations, education leaders and businesses who share our drive for growth, talent and innovation. We went not to promote ourselves but to build meaningful partnerships.

As a family run business with strong Lancashire roots, Vital Heating Solutions has always valued real connection. We saw this event as a chance to meet the people shaping our region and work together for long-term impact.

Why We Attended the Lancashire Networking Event

This event was hosted by Lancashire Business View at Burnley College’s University Courses building. The turnout was strong, the energy high, and the room full of businesses making a difference. We attended to:

• Strengthen links with local colleges
• Explore IT and telecoms support
• Discover new apprentice pipelines
• Build relationships that support long-term growth

The goal was not just to attend but to listen and learn. Everyone there had the same mindset. We are all part of a network of businesses who want to see our region thrive.

Impressions of Burnley College

From the moment we arrived, Burnley College stood out. The campus has a professional, forward-thinking feel. Its architecture is modern and designed to inspire. What impressed us most was the clear connection between education and employment. Burnley College is not only preparing students for exams but also for real careers in real businesses.

Their leadership team shared the college’s approach to partnership. They talked about work placements, masterclasses, and curriculum planning based on business need. It was clear that they want to build genuine collaborations with employers like us.

For a business like ours, which is growing in commercial heating and renewables, that’s vital. We need fresh talent. We also need to support that talent from the beginning. Burnley College made it clear that they are ready to help us do that.

Conversations That Matter

Networking can sometimes feel rushed or superficial. This was different. We spoke with businesses who were open, honest and ambitious. A few conversations stood out.

Seriun

We spoke with the team at Seriun about our IT and telecoms setup. As we grow, we are becoming more reliant on digital systems and secure data handling. Seriun understood our needs and offered practical advice. They’re local, knowledgeable and ready to help. We are now exploring options for managed IT support that aligns with our business goals.

Trident Utilities

As a business that works in heating, plumbing and renewables, we care about energy use. We spoke with Trident about how to improve our own sustainability strategy and support our clients in doing the same. Their insights into carbon reduction and energy planning were helpful. We look forward to building on that conversation.

Burnley College Apprenticeships

Our discussion with Burnley College about apprenticeships was a key moment. We’re already working with them to find new apprentices, but this gave us a chance to explore a deeper partnership. We talked about creating bespoke placements, developing real-world training pathways and supporting learners beyond the basics.

Learning from the Event

The event wasn’t just for networking. There were also presentations and panel discussions on issues facing local businesses. The message was clear. Lancashire is a region of doers. We are practical, experienced and ambitious.

Some points stood out:

• Lancashire’s strength is in its diversity. From manufacturing to digital, the business mix is wide.
• SMEs are the backbone of the region. Most successful businesses are local and independent.
• Skills matter. It’s not just about having people, it’s about having the right skills at the right time.

These talks made us reflect on our own business. We are growing quickly. We have expanded from domestic heating into large-scale plant rooms, heat pumps and mechanical design. To keep doing that well, we need to stay connected to the community around us. That includes colleges, councils and other employers.

Taking Action After the Event

We did not leave the Lancashire networking event with a pocket full of business cards and nothing else. We left with clear actions:

• Follow up with Seriun to review IT support needs
• Meet with Trident about future opportunities
• Build a deeper apprenticeship partnership with Burnley College

These are not small things. Each one helps us move forward with confidence. They also help others. When we invest in our systems, our carbon strategy and our apprentices, we raise the standard for the work we do across the North West.

Why Events Like This Matter

It is easy to get stuck in day-to-day operations. Events like this pull us back to the bigger picture. They remind us of what matters most:

• People
• Partnerships
• Purpose

That’s why we will keep attending events like this. We see the value in being present, being involved and being open. It helps us stay ahead. It helps us give more to our clients. And it helps us build a stronger team.

Burnley’s Growth Is Real

Over the past 10 years, Burnley has changed. At the event, we heard how the town has become a place where people want to live and work. We heard from business owners, college leaders and the council about how jobs, homes and skills have improved. There was no hype just honest stories of progress.

This matches what we have seen ourselves. We’ve hired locally, trained locally and grown locally. We see how strong the region is becoming. Events like this show that the momentum is still building.

Supporting the Next Generation

A big part of the conversation was about future talent. Apprenticeships, skills pathways, and practical training all came up. Burnley College is leading the way. But they can’t do it alone. Employers need to step up.

We have always believed in giving young people a chance. Some of our best engineers started with us as apprentices. This event gave us new ways to support that journey. Whether it’s offering more placements or helping shape the curriculum, we are ready to do more.

Stronger Together

The event reminded us that we are not alone. Many other businesses are facing the same pressures: recruitment, compliance, digital change, sustainability. Talking to others helped us realise that we have shared challenges and shared solutions.

We don’t need to compete. We need to collaborate. That’s how Lancashire will thrive.

A Better Way to Do Business

One of the things we liked most was the tone of the event. It was friendly, open and honest. No one was there to show off. People were there to learn, connect and grow.

That fits with how we do business. We believe in doing things the right way. Whether it’s a domestic boiler or a complex mechanical system, we want to do it once, do it well, and do it with pride.

What Comes Next

For us, the real work starts now. We’ve had the conversations. Now we follow through.

• We are reviewing IT systems and exploring new telecoms options
• We are looking to collaborate with companies who attended the event
• We are exploring a formal apprenticeship agreement with Burnley College

And we’ll keep building on this. We’ll stay involved, stay visible and keep investing in people.

Why This Event Was Different

We’ve been to many business events over the years. Some are useful. Others are not. This one stood out.

It was well organised, well attended, and full of real opportunities. We left feeling energised, not drained. That’s rare and valuable.

A Call to Action

If you’re a business in Lancashire and haven’t attended one of these events, we’d recommend it. Not just for networking, but for knowledge, support and new ideas.

If you met us there and want to continue the conversation, get in touch.

If you didn’t attend, but want to work with us, let’s talk.

We are open to new ideas, new partners and new talent.

Learn More About Us

Visit our About page to learn who we are and what we stand for.

Explore our Careers page to see how we support apprentices, engineers and support staff.

To learn more about our partners and hosts, visit:

• Burnley College
• Lancashire Business View

In Summary

The Lancashire networking event was a positive, productive and inspiring day. It helped us make new contacts, confirm future plans and feel part of something bigger.

We are proud to be a Lancashire business. We are proud to work with others who share our values. And we are proud to support the next generation of skilled professionals in our region.

We will be back at the next event. Until then, we will keep building, keep learning and keep growing together.