Department Newsletter
Spring 2025 / wakefield.ac.uk
Dear [student name],
Dear student,
Greetings from Wakefield College’s Construction & Civil Engineering Department!
I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting new publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings, developments and opportunities in our amazing department.
As the head of the department, I am continually inspired by the passion and innovation that our students and staff bring to the world of construction. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We will bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up to date with current trends and departmental achievements. It is an excellent way for you to stay connected and informed about the field you are about to enter when you join us this September.
We also believe in the power of real stories to inspire and guide. That is why we will be featuring student case studies, highlighting the journeys, challenges and successes of our students. These stories not only highlight the real-world application of our courses but also serve as a testament to the supportive and innovative environment that Wakefield College offers.
We hope this gives you a lot to look forward to for September and we cannot wait to welcome you to the College –good luck in your exams!
Suzanne Black Head of Construction & Civil Engineering
Home Secretary tours new construction development at Castleford College
Secretary of State for the Home Department and Member of Parliament (MP) for Pontefract, Castleford, Knottingley and Altofts, Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, visited Castleford College in February to see the progress of its brand-new construction facilities.
Principal and Chief Executive, Sam Wright and Local College Director, Steve Harrison, provided the Home Secretary with a tour of the development, which aims to provide a large space for students from a range of construction disciplines to enhance their learning using new innovative technologies.
The development is an expansion of the College’s existing construction facilities that feature state-of-the-art brickwork, carpentry and electrical workshops, which Yvette also visited.
Scan the QR code to read the full story here:
Construction students’ accomplishments celebrated at Annual Awards Ceremony
The hard work and achievements of our Construction & Civil Engineering students were recognised as part of our Annual Student Awards Ceremony.
Acknowledging the dedication they demonstrated to their studies, Zak Newton from Wakefield College and Oliwia Loc from Castleford College, were presented with the Gideon Schreier Bursary Award in Construction & Civil Engineering.
On hand to deliver the Construction Student of the Year awards was Alistair McLoughlin, Joint Managing Director at Waystone Ltd, who said: “It’s an honour to be able to present these awards in memory of Gideon Schreier and to continue his work in inspiring the next generation of construction workers. Seeing
the exceptional talent of Oliwia and Zak, makes me incredibly excited for the future of the construction industry.”
Alistair McLoughlin (left) presenting Zak Newton (right) with the Gideon Schreier Bursary Award in Construction & Civil Engineering
Hear from our Students
Joshua
Level 3 Carpentry
“I’ve been around carpentry from a young age; the first thing I ever built was a fire station when I was just five years old and since then I’ve always helped my family with carpentry projects such as building fences and decking. My course has helped me further build on my passion, teaching me communication, teamwork and hand eye coordination skills. I get to do what I love every day and alongside my course mates who always help to bring each other up. As long as I’ve got a hammer and a drill in my hand, I’m happy – so I hope to one day become a joiner.”
Construction
Technical students visit Caddick Construction at Soothill
Wakefield College’s Construction Technical students were invited to explore Caddick Construction’s Soothill site in Batley, West Yorkshire.
Lloyd
Level 3 Electrical Installation Apprenticeship
“As part of my apprenticeship, I get to work on consumer units and learn about the theory side of electrical installation, which I can apply in my role as a Trainee Electrical Engineer at Heineken. I wouldn’t be able to work on live boards without my apprenticeship and it will also open up further career opportunities for me at Heineken.”
Corey
Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship
“I chose to do an apprenticeship because I’ve always wanted to have a trade and I felt that earning whilst I learned was the best way forward for me personally, and I’ve never looked back. Every day I’m learning from my mentors who are passing on their vast knowledge and experience of the industry.”
Meet Corey, a Gas Engineering apprentice at WDH who studies with us, in this video.
T Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
“Full-time university didn’t attract me - I wanted to stay in work and to learn whilst earning an income. When Galliford Try presented me with the opportunity to stay on after my T Level it was of a no-brainer for me. I’d recommend a T Level to people leaving school because it not only gives you classroom learning, it gives you knowledge about what your role will be and you have the opportunity to showcase yourself on a day release and impress your employer.”
Meet Oliver, a Construction T Level student who carried out their industry placement at Galliford Try, in this video.
The students gained further insight in groundworks, sub-structure and super structure works, which will help to support what they are learning in the classroom. They were also tasked with conducting a Health and Safety audit as they toured the site to help embed their knowledge further.
Plumbing Experts
Earlier this term, Lawton Copper Tubes and Pb Plumber visited our Level 2 Plumbing students to demonstrate their products and materials, as well as provide them some insight into the plumbing industry, followed by a practical activity and feedback from the experts.
As seen on ITV’s This Morning Front Room Facelift with Linda Barker
Our Construction Department helped to deliver a front room face lift like no other on an episode of This Morning (Episode 127, Season 36), all in under two hours!
It was a great team effort with MM Mac LTD, JC Electrical & Refrigeration Services Pontefract and MBT Painting & Decorating.
UK Young Builder of 2024
Student commended at Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year Awards 2024
has been commended for the studies at Youthbuild UK’s Young Builder of 2024.
Construction student, Alfie Parratt, has been commended for the exceptional progress he has made throughout his studies at the Youthbuild UK’s Young Builder of the Year Awards 2024.
Youthbuild UK’s Honorary President, Sir John of young training or in the construction industry overcome a range
Hosted by the Youthbuild UK’s Honorary President, Sir John Hayes MP, the awards celebrate the achievements of young people who have succeeded in training or gaining employment in the construction industry despite having to overcome a range of challenges.
age, he’s stop him from pursuing progressing from a Multi 1 Construction programme to a Level Bricklaying.
Alfie has struggled with dyslexia from an early age, but he’s not let this stop him from pursuing his passion for construction, progressing from a Multi Skills Level 1 Construction programme to a Level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying.
Carpentry & Joinery students build their own boxes
Carpentry & Joinery students build their own bird boxes
Our Carpentry & Joinery students have been busy building their very own bird boxes.
Alfie said: “I such a highly in the construction industry. bricklaying workshop at my happy and I really enjoy being able to work with and learn from as well as share my knowledge. That own Construction business
Alfie said: “I was overwhelmed to be commended for such a highly regarded award in the construction industry. The bricklaying workshop at College is my happy place and I really enjoy being able to work with others and learn from them, as well as share my knowledge. That is why I would like to start my own Construction business one day.”
Leaf, was an to be able join Alfie and his family at Year Awards at House of Watching him personally and academically has nothing short amazing and seeing him award on the cake. Alfie from Young of Awards and hope this inspires our current and prospective students to always pursue their passion, what may face.”
Alfie’s Tutor, Christopher Leaf, said: “It was an honour to be able to join Alfie and his family at the Young Build of the Year Awards at the House of Commons. Watching him develop both personally and academically has been nothing short of amazing and seeing him collect his award is the icing on the cake. Alfie is the first student from the College to be a finalist in the Youthbuild UK’s Young Builder of the Year Awards and I hope this inspires our current and prospective students to always pursue their passion, no matter what hurdles they may face.”
Since starting a Multi Level 1 Construction Alfie gone above and expand his knowledge and hone
Since starting on a Multi Skills Level 1 Construction programme, Alfie has gone above and beyond to expand his knowledge and hone his bricklaying skills.
Alfie’s Inclusion Practitioner at Castleford College, Phil Evans, said: “Alfie was incredibly shy when I first met him, so it’s brilliant to see the progress he has made on his journey. He’s come out of his shell and built his social and academic skills and has achieved significant personal milestones such as passing his driving test. Being commended for the Young Builder of the Year Award is another string to his bow and highlights how far he has come since starting at the College.”
Inclusion Practitioner at Castleford College, Phil Evans, “Alfie was incredibly shy when so see the progress he made on journey. He’s come out of shell and and academic and has achieved significant personal such as passing his driving Being Builder of Year Award is another and highlights how far has come since at College.”
In addition to his personal achievements, Alfie has also taken on various bricklaying jobs, further honing his skills and gaining practical experience which has improved his technique and boosted his confidence in his abilities.
This was a great way for our students to put their joinery skills to the test, whilst promoting sustainability and wildlife conservation.
addition to his personal achievements, Alfie has on various bricklaying jobs, further honing gaining practical experience which technique and boosted his confidence in & Joinery students have been busy building their very own bird boxes. our students to put test, whilst promoting and wildlife conservation.
of the bird boxes were donated to local and primary in the area and some gifts, with one student’s dad proudly hanging allotment.
Some of the bird boxes were donated to local nurseries and primary schools in the area and some made great homemade gifts, with one student’s dad proudly hanging it at his allotment.
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