Leeds City College secures funding for new building to meet growing student numbers

Leeds City College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has secured funding as part of the Post-16 Capacity Fund Application 2021-22, to develop an additional building at its Printworks campus on Hunslet Road.

ONS data shows a rise in 16-year-olds in Leeds from 2021 and this will increase the demand for student places, with more young people looking to enter further education. This investment will enable Leeds City College’s Printworks campus to meet these capacity needs now and in the future.

The new building, which will be based on part of the car park, will create additional capacity with 11 new classrooms for 335 students. The space will be tailored to focus on engineering and manufacturing, creative and digital, as well as finance and professional courses. As the city’s leading provider of vocational training, the funding will help Leeds City College continue to meet the growing student demand.

Cheryl Smith, Principal at Leeds City College’s Printworks campus, said: “This funding is not only welcomed, but essential if we are to continue offering exceptional and inclusive learning experiences for our students. By developing new, built-for-purpose learning spaces it means we can not only meet the demand of growing student numbers, but create quality learning environments that allow them to thrive.

“Giving young people access to a 21st century education experience is more important than ever, but to do that we need to have the appropriate facilities and adequate space to deliver this. The Printworks campus is already home to an impressive world class kitchen, tailored engineering workshops, salons and studios, digital suites and air cabin, but we know we can offer more to ensure no young person gets left behind.

“Over the last four years, Printworks campus has seen a 7.1% increase in students. We are already at capacity, which makes the need for this extra space even more important. This funding allows us to commit to meeting this demand and continue to offer a bright future for the students that come to learn with us.”

The new building, which is set to be ready in Autumn 2022 is aligned to Leeds City Region’s target to be the UKs first carbon neutral city by 2038, as well as the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.