New Bradford College Academy to Power Future Electrical Skills

Bradford College has completed work on a new Electrical Skills Academy on Bowling Back Lane following a major refurbishment programme.

The £1.2 million College-funded renovation project, led by Sewell Construction, has transformed the 2,000 sq ft building on Bowling Back Lane into a modern training environment for industry-focused electrical skills.

Facilities include three workshops for Level 1 students to help develop hands-on skills using workboards. Learners can now practice basic circuits and wiring, such as measurements and terminating cables into a range of accessories and equipment.

The Academy also includes dedicated Level 2 and Level 3 workshops and assessment centres, containing specialist equipment, inspection and testing bays, and safe isolation and AM2 preparation, ensuring students are fully prepared for employment and industry assessment requirements.

A contemporary café, social areas, eight refurbished classrooms, a computer laboratory for electrical design, and a dedicated Personal Development and Enterprise classroom for tutorials and project-based learning, bring the student facilities in line with modern learning environments found at other Bradford College campuses.

Greg Bourke, Head of Construction at Bradford College, said:

“The Electrical Skills Academy represents our continued commitment to developing the highly skilled workforce that Bradford and the wider region need. By investing in industry-standard facilities and working closely with employers, we are ensuring our curriculum remains responsive to emerging technologies, workforce demands and economic priorities.”

With demand increasing for electric vehicle charging points, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage technology, and other low-carbon solutions, qualified electricians will also be able to access additional courses in green skills and emerging technologies.

The investment in Bowling Back Lane comes at a crucial time for both the construction and electrical sectors. Demand for skilled electricians continues to grow as the UK transitions towards a greener economy. The UK Trade Skills Index estimates that 104,000 additional electricians will be needed by 2032, the largest gap among the 11 traditional trades it surveyed.

The Bowling Back Lane premises was vacated earlier this year when the College’s Motor Vehicle and Engineering department moved into its new home at the recently opened multi-million-pound Junction Mills site. As a result, the College’s existing electrical provision was moved from Trinity Green Campus to Bowling Back Lane, where rising student numbers had placed increasing pressure on capacity.

The relocation creates an opportunity to provide even more students with a dedicated electrical facility that has nearly doubled in size. Following the completion of the large-scale project, which was completed on time and on budget, the College now has space to accommodate hundreds of students, adult learners, and apprentices employed by electrical contractors and businesses across Bradford and the Yorkshire region.

Greg continued:

“The Bradford College Electrical Skills Academy strengthens the vital link between education and industry, helping to close skills gaps while creating clear pathways into sustainable, rewarding careers.”

Bradford College is working with its many partners to keep the curriculum industry-relevant and to provide students with valuable employer engagement opportunities, including with Patchett Homes, Senior Electrical and Security, City Electrical Factors (CEF), CBRE, and Robertson Group. Partner eFIXX is hosting a College Connections event on 10^th November, bringing together students, staff and regional employers for professional development sessions led by recognised industry experts.

Find out more about electrical and construction courses and speak to lecturers at the next Bradford College open event on Saturday, 17^th October, 10 am – 1 pm, at the Trinity Green Campus.