Bradford College Receives Brick Donation for Construction Training

Partnership with Persimmon Homes supports practical learning

Bradford College has received a donation of 18,000 bricks from Persimmon Homes to support its brickwork students and construction training programmes. The quantity of bricks donated is sufficient to build the external walls of a typical four-bedroom house, providing essential materials for hands-on learning within the college’s construction department.

Event to mark the donation

A special event was held at Bradford College’s Trinity Green Campus to acknowledge the donation and celebrate the ongoing partnership between the college and Persimmon Homes. The campus is home to the college’s construction and engineering training facilities, which include courses in bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installation, site carpentry, electronic engineering, and welding.

Attendees at the event included Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council; Christopher Hull, Managing Director of Persimmon West Yorkshire; and Persimmon Apprentice Managers Robert Warburton and Michael Johnson. The visitors toured the workshops and met students engaged in practical training.

Statements from college and Persimmon Homes

Greg Bourke, Head of Construction at Bradford College, emphasised the importance of employer engagement in creating opportunities for students. He noted that Persimmon Homes’ donation reflects a shared commitment to supporting learners and developing skills for the construction industry.

Christopher Hull, Managing Director of Persimmon West Yorkshire, said the company was pleased to support the college and its students, recognising the importance of helping the next generation of construction workers reach their potential.

Context and future developments

• There is a projected 7.7% growth in construction jobs needed over the next three years in the Bradford district to address critical skills shortages.
• Bradford has various regeneration projects underway, including Bradford City Village, The Southern Gateway, the Bradford Hydrogen Production Facility, and the Bradford Heat Network.
• Bradford College has invested in modern engineering equipment funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund to align with local skills priorities.
• Later in the year, the college plans to open Junction Mills, a new £17 million facility focused on automotive and digital engineering, including electric and hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing. This facility will train up to 650 students, supporting technology and low-carbon skills development in West Yorkshire.