BRADFORD College’s David Hockney Building was a hive of motorsport and all things vehicular earlier recently, as the Bradford Motorsport Engagement Programme (BMEP) came to a celebratory close.
Since the start of September around 35 Motor Vehicle students have benefitted from the programme supporting their studies and were invited by facilitators Driven By Us and Motivez to a special event at the College to recognise their success - funded by wider partner Mission 44.
The initiative was designed to ‘inspire and educate the next generation by providing hands-on, engaging workshops and advice on different motorsport career pathways’, as well as ‘providing visible role models so students from all backgrounds can feel represented’.
Speaking about the success of the BMEP and the opportunities it has provided to students, Alina Khan (vice principal EDI) commented: “Partnering with Mission 44, Driven By Us and Motivez has been a fantastic opportunity for the college.
“Our city has a highly diverse population of young people and the interest in both motorsport and supercars is phenomenal. Students have gained valuable insight on how to access a career in this industry through opportunities such as support with CV writing, networking opportunities and advice on applying to entry level jobs.”
Various activities were put on for the celebration event, with smiles in abundance, as students enjoyed professional motorsport simulators, the visit of a Lamborghini from Oasis supercar showroom and much more, all while being specially filmed by a Sky Sports camera crew.
James Dornor, CEO of Driven By Us, took time to reflect on the event and engagement programme generally, saying: “It’s been a fantastic programme and Bradford College’s students have engaged phenomenally. Working with the college has been superb and the staff have been both cooperative and accessible. Providing opportunities like these is vital to giving people first-hand access into the motor industry, practical experience and the opportunity to work alongside role models. Programmes like this are proof that Bradford College goes above and beyond to provide students with insight into key industries, that might not appear readily available without support.”
The day was made possible thanks to the college’s trailblazing, wider partnership with Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44, which has successfully focused on delivering opportunities to demographics who may not have previously had these.
All of this work is set to leave a legacy across Bradford for years to come.
*AT THE end of last week, it was Bradford College’s turn to nurture the city’s future engineers as part of Bradford Manufacturing Week's (BMW) 2024.
In partnership with Byworth Boilers and Skills House Bradford, secondary school students were invited in for a special event where they faced a Go Kart Challenge and the task of building their very own vehicle.
This special day followed the launch of BMW, also hosted at Bradford College’s Trinity Green Campus just weeks before.
Speaking on behalf of the college’s engineering department, Olivia Walsh (enhancement and engagement officer) said: “The students showed great enthusiasm and teamwork during this challenge, with their prior visit to Byworth Boilers providing valuable insight into real-world industry.
"Hopefully this hands-on experience has sparked their creativity and passion for engineering. Events like these are vital to inspiring the next generation and building positive connections between education and industry in Bradford.”
The challenge came as the college’s contribution to BMW 2024, run by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, which returned this year with a newly expanded format and a clear plan to bring young people and manufacturers together.
*Ahead of its seventh series next year, BBC Three’s Glow Up returned to the Bradford School of Art to encourage Bradford’s future make-up artists to apply for the show.
Following a visit to campus earlier this year, giving students and staff an exclusive screening of the first episode of Series 6, Glow Up returned to speak with students ahead of Bradford’s status as UK City of Culture 2025.
Being interviewed for BBC Radio Leeds, one student said: “I’ve always wanted a creative career as I’m more creative than academic. I like how you can really express yourself through make-up and create characters, convey emotions or even raise awareness of topics. You can literally do whatever you want through make-up and it doesn’t matter who you are, anyone can do it.
Assistant Producer, Persephone Rizvi, added: “Bradford is so special and we know there’s so much talent here. We now need to find those people, bring them forward and get them to apply.”
It isn’t too late to apply if you think you could be ‘Britain’s Next Make-Up Star’. Find out more at bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/take-part/glow-up
*As the latest of many projects gathering pace across Bradford College, work is set to begin to connect two college buildings to the Bradford Energy Heat District Network.
This work will involve improvements to hot water distribution systems, pipework insulation and radiator upgrades, connecting David Hockney Building and the ATC Building to the city’s wider network.
The new network is designed to deliver low carbon heat in the form of hot water, through highly insulated underground pipes to public, commercial and domestic buildings in and around the city centre. Heat will be generated by an energy centre on Thornton Road.
This comes after the college became one of 189 public sector organisations nationwide awarded grants for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency schemes.
To find out more about the whole host of capital bids and projects taking place across Bradford College visit bradfordcollege.ac.uk/capitalprojects/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here