Mr Alf Lias in the weaving room where students will be able to use some of the latest weaving looms available.

From an article by Shirley Hamer:
At the moment there are more than 250 young people in the Burnley area who are unemployed, the majority of whom are school leavers. To try to alleviate this problem, Burnley College of Arts and Technology is to begin a full-time further education course in textiles. The course begins on October 20th and lasts for six months, during which time the students will be paid £15 per week. The aim of the course is to give young people a basic education in textiles and related subjects as a grounding for further training within the industry.

There are 15 places open for young people in Burnley and Pendle and Mr J. Garton, district careers officer, explained that it would not be practical at the moment to take on more because it was hoped to find jobs for all the young people on the course. The course is sponsored by the Cotton and Allied Textiles Industry Training Board, with the help of special grants from the Training Services Agency and the board will be trying to find suitable jobs with training. Mr Alf Lias, head of the textile department at Burnley College, who has been in the industry all his life, feels that the course will be invaluable to the right students.

The course will cover a very wide field, including general textile technology, fibre technology, mathematics, general science, communication and general studies, spinning (theory), weaving (theory), finishing, bleaching and dyeing (theory), practical education in weaving and project work. The facilities at the college are endless and there is vast scope for practical experience with the latest designs in Saurer and Leesons looms identical to those used in modern weaving sheds.