Leeds College of Building, established in the 1960s, is the UK’s only Further Education college pecialising in construction and the built environment. It offers courses covering everything from joinery, bricklaying, plumbing and plastering and specialist areas such as air conditioning, transport, planning and engineering. It delivers 54 different apprenticeship frameworks up to level 5.
Its Principal, Derek Whitehead, who sits on the FMB’s national Training Group, started out as an apprentice joiner and is proud of his grassroots in the industry and is passionate about helping students to progress. Leeds College of Building works closely with local schools, attending Open Days and running taster opportunities, but Derek admits that misconceptions about the industry can be a barrier.
“We never paint all schools with the same brush, as some are more proactive than others, but I do believe that the construction industry is not seen as a first choice for many pupils,” he said. “The key determinate is trying to change the hearts and minds of parents as some need to know more about construction and the career options that are available.” The college’s mission statement is “inspiring lives and building futures” and its 6,000 students range from 14-16-year olds attending as part of schools’ alternative curriculum programmes to higher level apprentices. It is currently in talks with a university to establish a degree-level apprenticeship programme and also off ers adult education programmes and upskilling courses.
While the college’s remit is broad, apprenticeship provision accounts for just short of 50% of its intake with 2,250 apprentices on the college’s books and a further 450 from other providers. Apprentices at the college generally follow a common core of practical, job knowledge and behavioural skills required in the industry. “We develop their manual dexterity skills, as well as building their knowledge around the occupational area that they are going in to, whether that is craft or technical,” explained Derek.
“We are simulating a lot of what will be taking place out on site to build higher levels of quality, skills and knowledge, as well as the behaviours that students require to sustain a job out in the construction industry.” It is important that the college work complements what apprentices are doing in the workplace and vice versa, said Derek. “For us as a college, what is vitally important is that they are exposed to a range of different skills and products and building activity that is commensurate with their traditional NVQ and/or competencies that are required within the new standards.” While Derek would like to see specialist colleges in every region, he acknowledges that construction courses are expensive to run in comparison to classroom-based ones and many colleges have stopped offering them.
Industry support is vital to ensure that courses remain viable he said, and the college works with construction companies large and small to ensure that provision is fit-for-purpose and that students can progress into sustainable jobs. “We are very passionate about what we do here at Leeds College of Building and enthusiastic in what we are trying to achieve, and long may that continue,” he said.
