THE University of Bolton has been praised for helping students look forward to a bright future.

Ofsted found the university continued to be rated as good for its access to higher education programmes that help local people, many from disadvantaged communities, to progress to university.

The government's education watchdog also praised the higher apprenticeship programme at its new Centre for Dental Sciences — believed to be the only centre of its kind in Europe — at the new £17m Queens campus.

Students and higher apprentices were found to receive a good-quality education and training, achieving "above expectations from their starting points" and with the vast majority progressing to study at degree level.

Inspector Suzanne Wainwright said: "Your lecturers create an enjoyable learning environment which supports students and higher apprentices to learn and progress well. High-quality resources support learning; for example, dental technology higher apprentices benefit from the latest industry-standard technology."

Genix Healthcare joined forces with the University of Bolton to launch the Centre for Dental Sciences in 2016 with the ambition of delivering high quality employment-focused dental education in the UK.

Ms Wainwright said: "In partnership with local employers and with full endorsement from the General Dental Council, you have developed a higher apprenticeship in dental technology to meet a local skills gap in this industry."

Ms Wainwright added “Managers ensure that all higher apprentices benefit from working in a variety of dental laboratories to gain expertise across a range of dental manufacturing processes, for example orthodontic appliances and different dental implants. This provides them with the skills that future employers will require.”

Robert Biggs, head of the Centre of Dental Sciences, said: "The innovation in programmes delivered by the University of Bolton combining education and commercial training is not available anywhere else in the UK.

"This partnership demonstrates our commitment to the dental industry and helps support the health of the wider population.

"We have had a successful start, passing our first-year inspection with the dental governing body and being awarded this endorsement by Ofsted.

"This highlights the quality of teaching and the inspirational team of teachers who are committed to developing the next generation of recruits to the UK’s dental technology industry."

Mustafa Mohammed, founder and owner of Genix Healthcare, said: "I am passionate about training and education and helping people to realise their true potential, whatever their background.

"Our partnership with the University of Bolton is the first new industrial training centre in the UK in living memory and is believed to be the only one of its kind in Europe.

"The dental industry is facing a skills shortage and we are proud to be playing our part to produce the next generation of industry recruits."