Bradford College has officially opened a new £19.3 million motor vehicle and engineering facility in the city centre that its leaders say will help prepare local students for jobs in low‑emission vehicle technologies.
City centre development on former mill site
The four‑storey building, known as Junction Mills, stands on Thornton Road on the footprint of a derelict textile mill that was demolished to make way for the project. Construction was completed in June by contractor Morgan Sindall Construction after almost two years on site.
"built on the site of a derelict textile mill"
The scheme was financed primarily through the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), which provided £17.8 million, alongside a £1.5 million contribution from the college, bringing the total to the sums publicly reported.
Facilities aimed at future vehicle technologies
Junction Mills houses collaboration classrooms, IT laboratories, a boardroom, a student balcony and three large workshops. The workshops are equipped to teach both traditional motor vehicle skills and emerging technologies, featuring dedicated electric vehicle bays and a hydrogen fuel cell car.
Specialist equipment installed during the fit‑out includes professional vehicle lifts suitable for MOT testing and wheel alignment, computerised roller brake testing systems, petrol and diesel emission analysers and tyre changers. The equipment was supplied by JHM Butt & Co Ltd, according to the college.
Capacity and industry links
Up to 650 students are expected to study at Junction Mills across the motor vehicle and engineering programmes. The college says the purpose of the facility is to provide training that is aligned with industry requirement for electric and hybrid vehicle capability in West Yorkshire.
The opening was marked by a ceremony featuring car journalist and presenter Abigayle André and Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South and Deputy Speaker. Speeches were also made by Morgan Sindall Area Director Ben Hall and Craig Walton, General Service Manager at Ray Chapman Motors, the official Volvo and Chery retailer.
- Project name: Junction Mills
- Location: Thornton Road, Bradford city centre
- Funds: £17.8m (FECTF) + £1.5m (College)
- Capacity: up to 650 students
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Department for Education (FECTF) | £17.8m |
| Bradford College contribution | £1.5m |
Local significance and context
The development is one of the largest new‑build schemes in Bradford city centre in recent years, following the completion of One City Park. By siting a high‑specification training centre in the urban core, the college intends to strengthen local access to education in trades and technologies that employers are increasingly seeking.
Officials from the college and industry partners underlined the need for hands‑on training in electric vehicle (EV) systems and related diagnostics as the automotive sector shifts toward low‑emission transport. The inclusion of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the workshops reflects the college’s commitment to expose students to a range of future‑facing powertrain technologies.
Construction of the building reused land formerly occupied by Bradford’s textile industry, retaining the historic mill name as a link to the city’s industrial past while repurposing the site for contemporary vocational education.
Contractors and college leaders expect the new facilities to support local employers by providing a pipeline of technicians and engineers trained on up‑to‑date equipment. The college has said the provision will prepare students for careers in motor vehicle maintenance, electric vehicle servicing and broader engineering roles.
Junction Mills will operate alongside the college’s other vocational sites, replacing the department’s previous accommodation at Bowling Back Lane and consolidating motor vehicle and engineering teaching in the new, industry‑standard environment.
