Castleford College Engineering and Automotive Newsletter 2026

Department Newsletter

Greetings from Castleford College’s Automotive & 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 automotive and engineering. This newsletter is our way of sharing that inspiration with you.

In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We’ll bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up-to-date with current trends and departmental achievements. It’s 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’s why we will be featuring student case studies, showcasing 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 offers.

Additionally, we understand the importance of experiencing the environment where students will learn and grow. Therefore, our newsletter includes extra-curricular activities that happen in and around college.

Amanda Gleadall Head of Automotive & Engineering castleford.ac.uk

Student gives back to his former College

A former Motor Vehicle student from Castleford College has gifted a range of engines to the College’s Automotive department, helping to enhance students’ learning.

Since leaving College, Arron has set up his own successful online distribution company, which supplies motorcycles and parts into the minibike race market.

Ahead of the Christmas break, Arron visited the department to present staff and students with the engines.

After leaving College, Arron worked in a wide range of service centres throughout the country ranging from working on Aston Martins and Jaguars to working with one of the UK’s largest car supermarkets.

With a love for motorbike and mini-bike racing, Arron set up Parker Racing after identifying a gap in the market of the distribution of motorcycle parts.

As the main UK distributor of BUCCI MOTO, a world leading Italian manufacturer of Pit Bikes and Mini GP Motorcycles, Parker Racing is known for providing high-quality motorcycles to the mini bike racing market.

Arron works closely with his customers to develop tailor-made training motorcycles to professionals within the racing sport, such as Kyle Ryde who most recently won the British Superbike Championship 2024. His business also offers trackside support services to competitors at racing events alongside running his own race team.

Arron said: “I’ve always had a passion for motorbikes, so I enjoyed the hands-on nature of the courses at Castleford College. My tutor Ian ensured I was fully engaged in my learning, which helped me to build my mechanical, management and personal skills. This gave me a solid foundation when starting my career in the industry and are skills I still use to this day as a business owner in the sector. It’s amazing to see the growth of the company over the past ten years and I’m always looking for ways to keep expanding, including investing in my IT skills to build a company website and purchasing CNC machines to develop my own products.”

Learn more about Parker Racing, at: www.parkerracing.co.uk

“We really appreciate Arron’s generous donation which will enable our students to practice on industry-standard equipment, enhancing their quality of learning. As his former tutor, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how far Arron has come since leaving College, setting up his own successful motorcycle distribution business which works with some of the biggest motorcycle brands and racers across the industry. What’s even more humbling is that he wants to share this success by giving back to his former College.”

Ian Smith Lecturer in Engineering & Automotive Studies at Castleford College

Hear from our Students

Automotive Engineering

Jacob

“I chose to do the Level 2 Diploma in Body and Paint as the course interested me. I like the practical approach to the course; we have learnt how to remove and refit car parts, paint vehicle body panels and how to weld metal. We also went on a trip to DENSO in Barnsley and it was a good insight into the business. After finishing College, I want to join the Army as a Mechanic and continue my career into different specialisms.”

Real‑World Learning

As an Engineering or Automotive student at our College, you won’t just learn in the classroom - you’ll head out on site visits, tours and industry trips that bring your studies to life. These experiences help you see real engineering in action, meet professionals and explore the workplaces your future career could take you to.

Here are just a few examples of the fantastic opportunities our students have recently taken part in:

Factory & Testing Facility Visit: Verder Group

Ethan

“I chose to study at Castleford College because the tutors were enthusiastic about helping me follow my passion. They’ve taught me skills that I use daily at home and at the railway I volunteer at. I hope to one day work in mechatronics on railways.”

Work Placements

It is important that our students learn the operations of businesses within their chosen sector first-hand. We understand the value of employer contributions and the positive impact these have on young people. All our students complete week-long placements in the industry in which they

are studying whilst our T Level students complete longer industry placements, spending 20% of their qualification in the workplace.

Hear how T Level Engineering student Harris’ industry placement led him to a career at Drax:

Scan the QR code to watch

Our Level 2 Engineering students were invited to the Verder Group site in Castleford, where they explored the factory floor, testing facility and design offices. The visit gave them a first-hand look at how products are developed, engineered and refined within an ever-evolving industry.

Mechatronics in Action: Visit to BELL Lighting

Our Level 3 BTEC Mechatronics students enjoyed an engaging visit to BELL House, where they received an inside look at the company’s manufacturing processes, testing equipment and day-to-day operations. Students took part in presentations, activities and a guided tour - an inspiring experience that highlighted the career paths available in advanced manufacturing and lighting technology.

Biffa donates kit to Castleford

College’s Automotive students

Castleford College’s Automotive students have benefited from a generous equipment donation from one of the UK’s leading sustainable waste management companies, Biffa.

Chris Williams and Richard Hoyland from Biffa recently visited the College’s Automotive Department to donate the DAF LV truck, which was previously used to empty bins on the A1’s laybys.

The addition of the truck to the Department’s extensive fleet of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and Large Good Vehicles (LGV), ensures that its learners can train on industry-standard equipment which is used out in the field.

Biffa currently employs two of Castleford College’s Level 3 HGV Apprentices, Bailey and Nathan, who are progressing through their three-year programmes.

Richard Hoyland, Biffa Regional Fleet Manager for Yorkshire and East Midlands, said “We’re great advocates of apprenticeships at Biffa and are continuously looking for ways to support apprentices coming through the industry. We hope that the donation of the DAF LV truck will enhance Bailey, Nathan and other apprentices’ learning, enabling them to practice and further develop their service and maintenance knowledge.”

WorldSkills UK SkillsWeld

Qualifiers held at Castleford College

We held the WorldSkills UK’s SkillsWeld 2025 National Qualifiers at our College where our Fabrication & Welding apprentices showed off their incredible talents.

The apprentices completed four separate tests covering the three main types of welding processes - gas tungsten arc welding, stick welding and metal inert gas welding. Apprentices Alfie Tolson, Jessica Kingswood, Joshua Curtis, Oliver Ramsay, Ryan Joseph, Samad Hussain and Samuel Mark Egley all took part - with Jessica Kingswood earning first place, followed by Oliver Ramsay in second and Joshua Curtis in third.

Crompton Controls also recently donated a wide range of electrical engineering equipment to our Engineering department. This kit is now being used in lessons, helping students practice with genuine, industry-standard componentsdeepening their technical skills.

Automotive Students Celebrate Success with a Pizza Treat!

Our Level 2 Automotive students have been working hard all year and their outstanding achievements and excellent attendance haven’t gone unnoticed! To celebrate their hard work, the group enjoyed a well-deserved reward trip to Pizza Hut.

It was a great way for students to relax, have fun together and reflect on everything they’ve accomplished this year.

The hard work and achievements of our Automotive & Engineering students were recognised as part of an Annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Jeffrey Utley MBE from the IET presented the Engineering Prize for Student Excellence to Liam Wainwright from Castleford College, who was praised for his exceptional academic performance and critical thinking skills.

Jeffrey said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to present this award on behalf of the IET. The IET is an institute for professionals, but we understand that everyone needs to start somewhere and that is why we are committed to supporting awards such as these to inspire and encourage young learners into careers in the Engineering sector.”

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.