Castleford College Construction and Civil Engineering Newsletter 2026

Department Newsletter

Welcome

Greetings from our Construction & Civil Engineering Department!

I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting 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.

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 Castleford College and Wakefield College offer.

If you’ve applied to Castleford College, you will also get a preview of our brandnew, state-of-the-art construction facility which you will call home when you start your course in September. Equipped with industry-standard kit, the space will ensure all learners have access to the digital tools shaping today’s construction industry.

Construction Student Commended at Youthbuild

UK Awards

Castleford College Construction student Charlie Moore was recognised for his outstanding progress at the Youthbuild UK Young Builder of the Year Awards 2025.

Charlie received one of only four national commendations, celebrating his dedication and development throughout his studies.

Charlie, accompanied by his tutor Stephen Johnson and his family, attended the awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, where he was one of just ten young people invited to be honoured for their achievements.

The Young Builder of the Year Awards celebrate 14–24-year-olds who have

overcome personal challenges to succeed in training or employment within the construction industry. Charlie’s commendation highlights not only his personal resilience but also the talent and commitment he brings to his future career in construction.

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, Oliwia Loc and Ricards Bikovs, 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 Ricards and Oliwia,

makes me incredibly excited for the future of the construction industry.”

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

Construction Technical students were invited to explore Caddick Construction’s Soothill site in Batley, West Yorkshire.

Oskar

T Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

“I chose this T Level for the valuable work placement experience, completing mine with Morgan Sindall. College helped me build key skills like time management, discipline and self‑motivation, which supported my success. After achieving a Distinction in my T Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, I’m now progressing to study Surveying at Leeds Beckett University.”

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.

It’s a STRIKE for

Construction!

Kier

Level 2 Bricklaying with Complete Property Revival

“I chose an Apprenticeship because I wanted a hands on learning experience that would also give me a qualification and allow me to earn straight away. I’ve learnt a lot about the construction industry since starting and I’ve really enjoyed it. Day to day, I work with my mentors on site where I help them with tasks such as mixing materials, laying bricks and pointing up. At College, tutors are supportive and let you work independently so that you can figure out your own style of work.”

Wiktoria

Level 3 Electrical Installation

“Achieving Distinction Stars in my Level 3 Electrical Installation course helped me secure an Overhead Lines Person and Sub-Station Fitter Apprenticeship with Omexom. College gave me the theory, practical skills and support I needed, especially through my work placement where I shadowed professionals onsite. One day, I hope to progress into an Electrical Engineer.”

Thirty four Construction students swapped tools for ten pins as they enjoyed an afternoon of team building and bowling at Xscape. Learners from Electrical Installation, Carpentry and Construction Skills took part, making the most of their Tuesday session outside the classroom.

The event was a great opportunity for students to socialise, strengthen teamwork and have some fun together.

Check Out Our Brand-new State-of-the-Art Construction Building!

If you’re studying at Castleford College, you will spend time in our brand-new industrystandard construction facility. Following a major building project, the Lagentium building recently opened its doors to learners and students have already settled into the new facility - taking full advantage of the modern, purpose-built spaces designed to elevate their learning experience.

The new centre has been designed to support a wide range of construction learning, from digital design to hands-on skills development. The first floor features three modern classrooms, including a state-of-the-art digital suite. This specialist space ensures all learners have access to the digital tools shaping today’s construction industry.

With high-spec equipment and a professional feel, the environment mirrors real industry expectations, helping students build the workplace behaviours needed for long-term success.

The ground floor offers a large, open workshop area dedicated to developing practical skills across all areas of wood occupations. Flooded with natural light and equipped with brand-new tools and machinery, the workshop enables learners to put their knowledge into practice in a safe, modern and inspiring space.

By training in facilities that mirror real workplaces, students are better equipped with the skills, confidence and professional habits they need to thrive in their future careers.

Learning From the Best: DeWalt Visit Inspires Construction Students

Our students have been quick to share their excitement about the new space:

“It’s

our first lesson in the new building and I’m impressed with the new facilities. Everything looks shiny and we are looking forward to working here.”

- Jake

“I really like how big and spacious the workshop is. There is plenty of natural light and all the tools and equipment are brand new. It’s been worth the wait!”

- Riley

As a Construction student, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn from industry leaders - and our recent partnership event with DeWalt UK was a great example.

Castleford College recently welcomed DeWalt into the building for a hands on day of demonstrations and activities with our Level 2 and 3 Plumbing and Joinery students. Throughout the session, learners explored a range of trade specific tools and equipment as part of the introduction to the DeWalt Academy, delivered through the new Grow The Trades programme.

The visit offered students the chance to gain insight from experts, ask questions and try out professional grade kit used across the industry.

Construction and Built Environment students from Wakefield College were recently welcomed to Caddick Construction Limited’s work experience week project. Each morning kicked off with inspiring talks from Caddick’s team members across a range of departments, offering students valuable insights into their roles and career paths.

Throughout the week, students worked collaboratively and took on the role of a construction company team, bidding for a tender to design and build a stretch of highway. They presented their tender proposals at the end of the week to a panel of judges, demonstrating a strong understanding of the brief, with thoughtful consideration of environmental impact and social value.

Group Secures Number One Spot for FE College Achievement Rates in the Region

The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has ranked first in Yorkshire & the Humber for student achievement amongst General Further Education Colleges, also securing fifth place nationally.

This highly impressive result follows a strong performance across the Group’s 16–18 provision, with the latest Department for Education National Achievement Rate Tables (NARTs) for 2024/2025 confirming the Group as the region’s highest-performing FE college for learners aged under 19.

In addition to this success, the Group also achieved fourth place regionally for Apprenticeship achievement rates, further highlighting its strength across further education and skills training.

The results position the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group and its three colleges – Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College - as having the best achievement results of all further education colleges in Yorkshire & the Humber region and being the fifth top-performing further education college in England, reflecting the quality of teaching, support and student outcomes delivered across its campuses and programmes.

The NARTs are key summary indicators of performance in education and training and apprenticeships and demonstrate the percentage of students that were awarded their qualifications. Published annually, the national tables rank over 150 colleges.

I am so proud of this phenomenal accolade. Being ranked first in the region for our 16-18 achievement rates and fifth nationally is something we are incredibly proud of and reflects both the ambition of our students and the quality of education and support across the Group. These results are a true reflection of the dedication and care shown by our staff, who go above and beyond every day to help our learners succeed academically, grow as individuals and move forward with confidence into their next steps.”

Sam Wright Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

OPEN EVENTS

OCTOBER 2026

MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER: 5PM-7PM

Castleford College

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER: 5PM-7PM

Wakefield College

NOVEMBER 2026

SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER: 10AM-12PM

Wakefield College and Castleford College

FEBRUARY 2027

WEDNESDAY 10TH FEBRUARY: 5PM-7PM

Wakefield College and Castleford College

Combining Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group saw outstanding pass rates in 2024/2025, with Selby College securing a 99% pass rate across its A Level programmes and Wakefield College a 98%. Castleford College and Wakefield College also achieved an impressive 100% pass rate for their T Level courses.

A significant number of its learners also progressed onto employment or higher education, including Russell Group universities such as the University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Nottingham and many more.

Across its colleges, the Group offers a broad range of 16–18 study programmes, including A Levels, T Levels and vocational and technical courses. It also delivers a wide variety of apprenticeships, designed to reflect local labour market needs and support learners into meaningful careers.