New Electrical Skills Academy Opens in Bradford

Bradford College launches upgraded facilities to support electrical training

Bradford College has completed a major refurbishment of a building on Bowling Back Lane to establish a new Electrical Skills Academy. The project, funded by the college at a cost of £1.2 million and led by Sewell Construction, has transformed a 2,000 square foot space into a dedicated training centre for electrical skills development.

Facilities and training opportunities

The Academy features specialised workshops designed to support students at various levels of electrical training:

• Three workshops for Level 1 students, equipped with workboards for hands-on practice with basic circuits, wiring, measurements, and cable termination.
• Dedicated Level 2 and Level 3 workshops and assessment centres, including specialist equipment, inspection and testing bays, and facilities for safe isolation and AM2 assessment preparation.

Additional student facilities include a contemporary café, social areas, eight refurbished classrooms, a computer laboratory focused on electrical design, and a Personal Development and Enterprise classroom for tutorials and project-based learning. These improvements aim to provide a modern learning environment consistent with other Bradford College campuses.

Responding to industry demands

The development of the Electrical Skills Academy comes amid increasing demand for skilled electricians, particularly in areas related to low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicle charging points, solar photovoltaic systems, and battery storage. The UK Trade Skills Index has estimated a need for 104,000 additional electricians by 2032, highlighting a significant skills gap in the sector.

Bradford College’s Head of Construction, Greg Bourke, stated that the new facilities support the college’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce aligned with regional economic priorities. The Academy will also offer courses in green skills and emerging technologies to prepare students for evolving industry requirements.

Relocation and expansion

The Bowling Back Lane building was previously used by the college’s Motor Vehicle and Engineering department, which relocated to the new Junction Mills site earlier this year. This move allowed the college to transfer its electrical provision from the Trinity Green Campus to Bowling Back Lane, nearly doubling the space available for electrical training.

The expanded facilities will accommodate hundreds of students, adult learners, and apprentices employed by electrical contractors and businesses across Bradford and the wider Yorkshire region.

Industry partnerships and future events

Bradford College continues to work closely with local employers to ensure its curriculum remains relevant and to provide students with opportunities for employer engagement. Partners include Patchett Homes, Senior Electrical and Security, City Electrical Factors (CEF), CBRE, Robertson Group, and eFIXX.

eFIXX is scheduled to host a College Connections event on 10th November, bringing together students, staff, and regional employers for professional development sessions led by industry experts.

Prospective students and interested parties can learn more about electrical and construction courses at the college’s open event on Saturday, 17th October, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Trinity Green Campus.