Leeds College of Building expands campus

A construction college is set to expand its campus and training facilities.

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has acquired a 5000sq metre former Vodafone building next to its North Street Campus, increasing the estate by a third and opening up new opportunities for construction skills training. 

Planning is underway to develop the new space, with a focus on government priority areas such as infrastructure, sustainability and new housing.

Nikki Davis, chief executive and principal of LCB, who currently represents the further education sector on the Construction Skills Mission Board, said: “We are thrilled to announce the purchase of our neighbouring site. 

“This exciting acquisition will enable us to train even more construction professionals and safeguard a talent pipeline in areas such as groundwork for future construction projects across the region.

“This expansion is a significant step towards our ambition for growth as one of the nation’s only Construction Technical Excellence Colleges – strengthening a vital workforce that will keep the construction industry, and our economy, moving forward.

“With the Government’s Skills White Paper targeting 60,000 new skilled jobs by the end of this Parliament, we’re optimistic that this project will secure vital investment and support from government and regional partners such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.”

Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, added: “It’s fantastic to see LCB going from strength to strength, first being recognised as the Technical Excellence College for Construction for all of Yorkshire and the Humber and now expanding into these exciting new premises.

“By training the skilled workers we need for transformational projects like constructing tramlines, building new homes and retrofitting existing ones, LCB puts our region at the epicentre of the nation’s rebuilding effort, creating good jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.”

LCB, the UK’s only specialist further education college for the construction and built environment sector, works with over 800 employers, including NG Bailey, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall and JN Bentley. 

Recently named a Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) for Yorkshire and the Humber, LCB aims to partner with local providers and employers to train up to 40,000 people in high-demand trades by 2029.

The Melbourne Street acquisition follows a £750,000 renovation of the North Street Campus last year and will complement LCB’s modern South Bank facilities.

Nikki added: “This is an exciting time for LCB. 

“With Government backing and the support of our partners, we can start to build a stronger future for both our students and the UK construction sector.”

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