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Department Newsletter

selby.ac.uk

Welcome

Greetings from Selby College’s 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, 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 Selby College offers.

Suzanne Black Head of Construction & Civil Engineering

CONSTRUCTION & CIVIL ENGINEERING

Construction Students’ Accomplishments Celebrated at Annual Awards Ceremony

The hard work and achievements of our Construction students are recognised at an Annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Acknowledging the dedication demonstrated to their studies, a number of Construction students from across the Group received a Student of the Year Award and a £100 voucher.

On hand to deliver the Construction Student of the Year award 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 the Group’s Construction students makes me incredibly excited for the future of the industry.”

“The annual Student Awards ceremony acknowledges our students who have demonstrated exceptional growth, commitment and excellence towards their learning, so it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate these remarkable achievements alongside their loved ones, staff across the Group and our employer partners. Many of our student winners have now moved on to some of the UK’s top universities, employment or higher levels of study with us here at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, highlighting their significant development and progression.”

Sam

Wright

Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

Hear from our Students

Alfie

“It’s always fascinated me how electrics work so the Level 2 Electrical Installation course was the perfect option, as it’s given me knowledge and skills of the sector which will stay with me forever. We’ve visited Drax to see how the Power Station operates and National Grid delivered a talk about the different career opportunities which are available. It’s inspiring to see and hear from large businesses like these as it demonstrates what is possible.”

Jay

After doing bricklaying with my uncle, I instantly knew that I wanted to pursue it as a career. I love how practical this course is, as that’s how I learn best.”

Kier

“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.”

Kier Dalton, Level 2 Bricklaying Apprenticeship with Complete Property Revival

Learners Begin Classes in New Construction Building

Our brand-new, industry-standard Construction facility is now open, with learners already settling into their first classes. This major investment enhances our Construction provision and offers students high-quality spaces that support real industry skills and future career paths.

Named after the roman fort in Castleford, the Lagentium building features modern classrooms, including a digital suite equipped with technologies used across today’s construction sector. The ground floor also provides an open, practical workshop designed for hands-on learning in wood occupations.

From Work Placement to Apprenticeship: Joey’s Construction Journey

Meet Joey, a Construction student who has turned his work placement experience into a promising career path. During his Level 3 Construction course, Joey completed a placement with Shanco Contracts Ltd, where he quickly discovered a passion for surveying and on-site operations.

His hard work and enthusiasm have now led him to progress onto a Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship, which is a fantastic next step in his professional journey.

Joey is currently working on an RAF project for the Ministry of Defence, where his responsibilities include setting out foundations and drainage for new accommodation blocks. The role gives him real responsibility on a major project, building both his technical skills and industry confidence.

Joey said: “Through my work placement, I found that surveying was very interesting, which has helped guide me with future choices around my career.”

Joey’s story is a great example of how work placements can open doors, shape career ambitions and lead directly into apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry.

Learning From the Industry: Carpentry Students Visit Major Construction Site

As a Construction student, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn directly from professionals across the industry - and our Level 2 Site Carpentry learners have already experienced this first hand.

Selby College’s Level 2 Site Carpentry students recently enjoyed a site visit to William Birch & Sons Ltd, who welcomed them onto their Victoria Market Hall project. The visit offered students invaluable insight into how a large scale construction development comes together, from early planning through to onsite coordination and craftsmanship.

During the tour, learners saw real world carpentry applications in action, observed experienced tradespeople at work and gained a deeper understanding of the teamwork, precision and problem solving required on a live site.

This hands on experience is just one example of how our Construction programmes ensure students benefit from industry engagement throughout the year - learning from those who shape the sector every day.

Construction students embrace next-generation learning hubs

Scan the QR code to read the full story

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

SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER: 10AM-12PM

NOVEMBER 2026

WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER: 5PM-7PM

FEBRUARY 2027

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY: 5PM-7PM

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.