About us

The Via Partnership is a social business based in Leyland, Lancashire. 

Via's main purpose is to improve skills and reduce unemployment. Via helps people to move forward in work and life and helps employers to develop their business and their workforce.

Via is owned by Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and delivers work for Lancashire Education Business Partnership, a registered charity.

Via works with public, private and third sector organisations to deliver a range of products and services and careers information, advice and guidance for young people and adults, and business support for workforce development, redundancy transition and business growth.

A social business:

What makes Via different is our commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the social problems caused by worklessness in adults and young people, providing help to move people forward in learning and work based on good commercial sense. This often means working with those who are most vulnerable in the workplace, such as young people, lone parents and offenders/ex-offenders. We see no reason why everyone shouldn’t have the best start in life so we invest our profit in that purpose.

Much of Via’s business is currently based in the North West of England around our Head Office in Lancashire, and we recognise that we have an important role to play within the community - not just as an employer of local people but also as a contributor to the local economy and the environment. If we can, we use local suppliers for local goods; where possible we are increasingly using organic or renewable resources to run the business and we are committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling. In addition, we look after our people with an extensive training programmes and talent management frameworks, the opportunity to engage in the running of the business, and have a strong commitment to offering support to keep our workforce healthy.

Award winning:

Via, previously trading as CXL, has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including:

> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Leadership Team of the Year 2012
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Change For Growth 2012
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Excellence in Customer Service 2012
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Business Woman of the Year 2011 (Karen O'Donoghue, Chief Exec)
> Winner of the Unique Woman in Business Award 2010  (Karen O'Donoghue, Chief Exec)
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Excellence in Customer Services 2010
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Leadership Team of the Year 2010
> Winner of the BIBA Award for Excellence in Customer Services 2009
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Leadership Team of the Year 2009
> Finalist of the BIBA Award for Leadership Team of the Year 2008
> Highly Commended in the Woman in Business East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Awards 2008 (Karen O'Donoghue, Chief Exec)
> Winner of the ICG National Careers Awards - Best Research Organisation 2007
> Finalist of the Lancashire Business Woman of the Year Award 2007 (Karen O'Donoghue, Chief Exec)

We are an Investor in People GOLD accredited organisation, an Institute of Leadership and Management accredited centre, a City & Guilds accredited centre, an ACCA approved employer, a registered member of Selnet and are approved by the Matrix accreditation policy. 

The Via Partnership
Chorley House
Centurion Way
Leyland
Lancashire
PR26 6TT

01772 642400
info@via-uk.com

The Via Partnership Limited which is a company under the control of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council within the meaning of Part V of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989. Reg in England under: 6048596 Reg Office: PO Box 78, County Hall, Fishergate, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8XJ. The Via Partnership delivers work for Lancashire Education Business Partnership Limited (Registered Charity No 1056534)