LEEDS City College students, many of whom are studying for careers in manufacturing and engineering, have been given an insight into the college’s £4.5m teaching block at its flagship city-centre Printworks Campus.

Aimed primarily at engineering, digital and IT students, the state-of-the-art, two-floor building, which will provide nine new classrooms, two IT labs, a learning zone and more, is nearing completion and expected to open within the next few months.

Electrical installation course students donned hard hats and high-vis jackets in January as they toured the new facility with the site manager for modular building specialist Premier Modular. The students gained an insight into the rigorous standards of a modern building site as they were shown the inner workings of a lift shaft, an electrical switch room, classrooms and bathrooms.

The high sustainability standards to which the block is being built enabled the students to see examples of green technology, including air source heat pumps and EV charging points for its electric vehicle parking spaces.

Mitch Scott, head of Engineering at Leeds City College said: “This top-notch new facility will really enhance our teaching capability and it’s an indication of the investment we are making in important courses like engineering.

“For young people who are considering enrolling on courses that will equip them with the skills for careers in manufacturing or engineering, we always reassure them that it’s an excellent choice. There are so many varied job opportunities in Leeds’s impressive manufacturing sector and careers in modern manufacturing are better paid and open up more opportunities than ever before.”

Leeds City College offers a variety of courses for students interested in working in manufacturing, including three of the new post-16 T Level courses that are equivalent to three A Levels and combine classroom and workplace learning. More information is available here.