ABOUT CENTRA
CENTRA's origins date back to 10 October 1839 , when the Mechanics' and Literary Institutions and Lyceums from across the region came together to form the Union of Lancashire and Cheshire Institutes (ULCI), one of Britain's first vocational examining bodies
  • The ULCI merged with the NWRAC (North Western Regional Advisory Council) in 1976 when the organisation of local authorities was undergoing radical change.
  •  
  • In 1988, the North West LEAs decided to review NWRAC/ULCI's current role and functions which resulted in its replacement by CENTRA (the Further Education CENTre for the Regional Association of LEAs).
  •  
  • CENTRA was established on 1 April 1990. At this time, 20% of the annual turnover came from LEA subscription.
  •  
  • During the following three years, the LEA subscription income was gradually withdrawn and CENTRA became self-financing in April 1993.
  •  
  • In 1994, CENTRA achieved corporate status as CENTRA (Education and Training Services) Ltd with a Board of Directors taking over from the North West LEAs.
  •  
  • In 2000, CENTRA along with AOSEC, EMFEC and Learning South West formed the Awarding Body Consortium Ltd (ABC) to provide its examining functions nationally.
  •  
  • CENTRA Ltd has charitable status as a result of its provision of services to the education sector.
Click here for a current list of vacancies at CENTRA
w3c compliant logo
CENTRA (Education & Training Services) Limited is a company limited by Guarantee
Registered Office: CENTRA, Duxbury Park, Duxbury Hall Road, Chorley, Lancashire, England, PR7 4AT, United Kingdom
Registered in England No. 2875051 - Registered Charity No. 1031858