Keighley’s new engineering and manufacturing hub is officially opened
Keighley College’s cutting-edge Technical Engineering Centre (TEC) has been officially opened by a stalwart of the local manufacturing industry.
Ninety year old Michael Parkinson OBE from Airedale Springs – whose links to the college span more than half a century – joined employers, apprentices and alumni for the event on Wednesday 12 November.
The multi-million pound facility is part of the Providence Park industrial development located at the former Universal Mills site, on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road.
Costing £12m, Providence Park was partially funded using £6.5m of government money via the Keighley Towns Fund, with about half of that being used to build the Keighley College TEC.
Purpose-built for equipping apprentices with in-demand technical skills, the new centre is being used to teach up to 120 learners at any one time, with its lower floor boasting a fully kitted-out engineering workshop. A future technologies lab is fitted out with a laser cutter, printing machines and testing equipment on the building’s upper level, along with two IT rooms and a teaching space.
Keighley College’s Director of Apprenticeships, Kelly-Marie McAllister, said: “It is wonderful to see this facility up and running, which will help the district build on its proud industrial heritage to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st Century.
“Engineering and manufacturing are crucial parts of Yorkshire’s economy and we are fortunate to have so many innovative companies in our midst, but right now they are struggling to recruit enough of the skilled workers that they need.
“That is where apprenticeships, and targeted training, have such a key role to play. The new engineering centre has been kitted out in consultation with local employers to ensure it is designed appropriately, with industry-leading equipment, to help tackle skills shortages head-on.”
Tim Rogers, chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “The Keighley Towns Fund has driven this project through from inception, so to see it officially open and transform not only the centre of Keighley, but also people’s futures is fantastic. The new TEC represents an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town, and we know many cohorts to come will benefit over the years.”
Bradford Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Keighley has always had a proud manufacturing and engineering heritage. This new centre will allow local people to learn highly-specialised skills and create employment opportunities for the future.
“Alongside the new state-of-the-art TEC, Providence Place is also home to five new buildings housing 23 industrial units. We expect about 100 jobs will be created in total across the whole site.”