College's new £19m vehicle tech building unveiled

Images of a new multimillion-pound technology studies building at a college in West Yorkshire have been unveiled ahead of its official opening in September.

Bradford College's £19m Motor Vehicle & Engineering building at Junction Mills would offer studies in modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing for up to 650 students, a spokesperson said.

The upper floors of the building had been finished and construction of the site as a whole was due to be completed by the end of June, they said.

"The building represents a significant leap in how we equip young people with the skills needed for a low-carbon economy," the spokesperson added.

"It is fitting that a building dedicated to low-carbon skills should be constructed with sustainability at its core."

The Junction Mills site would prepare students for "future-facing careers in a fast-moving sector", according to the college, with some courses already at 80% capacity through applications.

It was also only the only new build project in Yorkshire to attain a platinum certification for outstanding carbon savings, they explained.

Chris Malish, from Bradford College, said: "We'll be at the forefront of these studies because we'll have all the new technology, and we've got some great partners coming on board.

"What we're addressing is the big need to move students into employment, so this will have a massively positive impact not just for our students but businesses too."

The four-storey project, by Morgan Sindall Construction, was funded by £17.8m from the Department for Education Further Education Capital Transformation Fund and a £1.5m college contribution.

Ben Hall, Morgan Sindall's area director for Yorkshire, said: "This is a significant project for the college and for West Yorkshire more broadly, and it's where the next generation of skilled workers will train - and that matters."

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