Bradford College Opens New £19.3m Motor Vehicle and Engineering Centre
September 17, 2026New facility aims to enhance training in automotive and digital engineering
Bradford College has officially opened a new £19.3 million building dedicated to motor vehicle and engineering training. The four-storey Junction Mills facility, located on Thornton Road, was unveiled on 11 September 2026 after nearly two years of construction. The building replaces a former derelict textile mill and is designed to support the growing demand for skills in electric and hybrid vehicle technology across West Yorkshire.
Funding and construction
The development was funded primarily through a £17.8 million grant from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), complemented by a £1.5 million contribution from the college. The construction was carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction and was completed in June 2026. The project has been noted for its environmental considerations, achieving Morgan Sindall’s platinum certification for carbon savings. The use of electric arc furnace steel in the building’s structure contributed to a reduction of 473 tonnes of carbon emissions during design and construction.
Facilities and equipment
Junction Mills offers a range of modern training spaces including:
- Three large workshops equipped for traditional vehicles, electric vehicles (EV), and hydrogen fuel cars
- Collaboration classrooms and IT laboratories
- A boardroom and student balcony
The workshops are fitted with specialist equipment such as professional vehicle lifts suitable for MOT testing and wheel alignment, computerised roller brake testing systems, petrol and diesel emission analysers, and tyre changers. This equipment was supplied by JHM Butt & Co Ltd.
Student capacity and course provision
The new building can accommodate up to 650 students, providing access to industry-relevant equipment and training. The facility is intended to prepare students for careers in the evolving automotive and engineering sectors. Meanwhile, the college’s former motor vehicle and engineering site at Bowling Back Lane has been repurposed as an Electrical Academy following refurbishment.
Opening ceremony and future plans
The opening event was attended by local dignitaries including Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South and Deputy Speaker, alongside car journalist and presenter Abigayle André. Speeches were also delivered by representatives from Morgan Sindall and Ray Chapman Motors, a local Volvo and Chery dealership.
Bradford College has secured nearly £32 million in funding over the past three years to support its estate development strategy. Future projects include the scheduled opening of Garden Mills in autumn 2024, a facility aimed at digital, science, and allied health training, and the remodelling of creative facilities for The Producing Academy planned for 2025.
Contact information
For more information about motor vehicle and engineering courses, or to explore potential business partnerships, contact Curriculum Area Manager John Hughes at john.hughes@bradfordcollege.ac.uk.
