We’ve been giving Harrogate school students a guided look around our under-construction new £22m campus.

The visit was organised as part of the college’s ongoing partnership work with Rossett School, and led by the developers behind our redevelopment, Caddick Construction. 

Caddick Construction’s Project Manager, Matt Hargreaves, showed a group of Year 10 students around the building site at Hornbeam Park. Matt also explained the different stages of the construction process, and talked about the many, and varied, roles available within the industry.

Real-world lessons

Regional Managing Director for Caddick Construction North East & Yorkshire, Steve Ford, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Year 10 students to our Harrogate College site.

“At Caddick, we’re committed to investing in the communities where we work, and providing students with real-world insight into the construction industry is a vital part of that. 

“It is always inspiring to see the next generation engaging with our sector. We hope this visit gave them a valuable perspective on the career opportunities available, and piqued their interest in choosing Harrogate College for their further education.”

Our replacement campus will provide new and upgraded training facilities including an advanced construction centre, a replica hospital ward, a digital suite, an electric vehicle workshop and a renewable energy technology centre.

Inspiring the next generation

Principal Danny Wild said: “It was wonderful to welcome the Rossett School students in and give them a firsthand look at a major local building project.

“Construction is so important to North Yorkshire and to our country, which urgently needs more homes.

“To hit the ambitious annual housebuilding targets that have been set will require a significant increase in the industry’s workforce – and that means encouraging more young people to pursue careers in this exciting industry.

“Our new campus and its facilities will enable us to take our training, including in advanced and sustainable construction techniques, to a new level.

“We hope this visit has given the students real insights into both the building process and the wide range of jobs that are available within the sector.”

Partnership in action

Rossett School, meanwhile, said it was grateful to the developers and the college for giving its students ‘genuine experience of what it is like to work on a live construction site’.

A spokesperson said: “Experiences such as these play an important role in helping our students explore future career options and make informed decisions about their next steps.

“We look forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Harrogate College and providing further opportunities for our students in the future.”

Our new campus is being funded by £20 million from the Department for Education plus £2 million from the college’s parent organisation, Luminate Education Group.

Harrogate College prides itself on working hand in hand with local businesses and organisations to provide the skills and training they need to ensure that our economy grows and thrives. Our newsletter is a handy way of keeping our partners informed of developments at the college.
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Dear partners, As we head towards the conclusion of another busy and rewarding academic year we have one eye firmly on the next – and the fantastic opportunities it should provide. Work on our new campus, as you can read about in this issue, is progressing well and on schedule for us to start wecloming students and begin teaching there in January 2027. That is great news both for our students and the business and wider community our college serves, as the new facilities will allow us to really take our training and courses to the next level. Meanwhile, the great work we are doing now, from our current campus, continues apace and continues to provide valuable opportunities for our students and the businesses and organisations they collaborate with through site visits, guest workshops, placements and more. You can read about some standout recent examples of this work in this edition. I hope you enjoy the read. Danny Wild Principal Harrogate College ________________________________________________________ Campus Milestone moment for our new college building We have marked a significant milestone in the development of our new £22m campus by holding a steel beam signing ceremony. The event, which celebrated the completion of the building’s skeletal frame, was organised in partnership with the developers, Caddick Construction, and brought together staff, students, governors and the construction team. The attendees used the occasion to sign a steel beam that will sit at the heart of our new college building, which will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a digital technology suite, replica hospital ward, electric vehicle workshop and renewable energy technology centre.Principal Danny Wild said: “Seeing the new campus take shape is a proud moment for everyone at college. Our rebuilt campus will create outstanding opportunities for our students, strengthening our ability to meet current and future skills.” ________________________________________________________ Uniformed Protective Services / Applied Science Putting CSI techniques into practice Teeside University has been helping students learn more about Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) techniques. Our Uniformed Services and Applied Science learners visited the university for an Introduction to CSI that included a seminar focused on the methodology behind note-taking and evidence gathering, including the process of lifting and storing fingerprints. They were also given a chance to put those skills to the test by collecting fibres and blood and came away with a deeper understanding of what the field of CSI, and the careers within it, involve. ________________________________________________________ Partnerships Harrogate College Employer Board – an invitation As one of our valued local business partners, we would like to invite you to join our Employer Board. Members will be able to help shape the future workforce, by advising directly on the skills they need and assisting us to ensure our courses reflect industry requirements and emerging trends.  They can also work with us to strengthen industry links, including through placements, projects and live briefs, and champion the college and its work with key stakeholders. If you are ready to help shape the next generation of talent and contribute to developing a skilled, confident and employable local workforce, please do get in touch. To find out more, contact: lynn-yang.liu@harrogate.ac.uk. ________________________________________________________   Hospitality Supporting – and learning from – leading chefs Our connections with the regional hospitality industry help us deliver top quality training – and we in turn are proud to support the sector. Part of that support involves opening up our professional-standard training kitchens for the Chef of the Year competition. The event, part of the 2026 Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards, saw shortlisted chefs going head-to-head in a Masterchef-style contest to demonstrate their culinary finesse. Our students, meanwhile, provided support as commis chefs, gaining valuable experience of working under pressure. We look forward to continuing, and elevating our support for the industry from our new campus building. ________________________________________________________ Progression Focusing on the next steps Local businesses and universities visited college recently to talk to students about their potential next steps. Our internal Careers and Apprenticeship teams also played a key role in the Student Progression Network Event, which shone a light on the different paths that are available in a range of roles across multiple industries. Our learners also took part in a Bingo-style activity to encourage them to speak with the guests and build their confidence in a networking environment. ________________________________________________________ Sport / Uniformed Protective Services A spotlight on chiropractic care and physiotherapy Two leading lights of physiotherapy and chiropractic care have been sharing insights into the different routes into the industry. Local Doctor of Chiropractic Ben Grant and physiotherapist Jamie Noble, from Family Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Centre, also gave our UPS and Sport students a live demonstration during their visit to college. The learners also got to put questions directly to the guests in Q&A session that shed further light on careers within the sector. ________________________________________________________ Hair and Beauty Salon professional leads skills session Our students were given insights into what it takes to succeed in a busy salon courtesy of guest speaker Becky Rojan. Becky, from Phoenix Lounge Hair & Beauty in Harrogate, also treated our Hair and Beauty learners to a Level 3 colour masterclass during her visit, helping them to develop their technical skills. She spoke, too, about how to keep such skills up to date in an ever-involving industry. Visits from professionals like Becky are invaluable for our students, both in terms of raising their technical levels and gaining a better idea about the realities of their chosen industries. ________________________________________________________ Electrical The benefits of a modular approach Our Electrical students have been given an insight into the techniques behind a Hull-based specialist bathroom pod manufacturer. The visit to Walker Modular gave the group a real insight into how building operations can be carried out in factories – and how this modular approach can be more cost-effective while delivering more consistent quality. Our learners were also given a detailed explanation, backed up with a demonstration, of how the pods are wired and manufactured in a way that means they can be simply plugged in when they are put in place. We are grateful to the contractors building our new campus, Caddick Construction – who are a client of Walker Modular – for arranging the visit. ________________________________________________________ A shout-out to our alumni So many of our students go on to do great and interesting things, in so many different sectors, and we’re proud of their successes. Hearing their stories – some of which are featured on our website’s alumni page, here – helps inspire future generations and shows them the incredible career opportunities that lie ahead. Many of them gain what they need with us to go on to further studies – like Reece Longden, who started his college journey with us in 2017, initially studying IT before moving over to Creative Practice (Art and Design) two years later. After completing his studies with us in 2022, Reece went to our sister organisation, University Centre Leeds, where he gained a Bachelors degree in Film and Screen Media. He is now pursuing a Masters in Creative Practice with University Centre Leeds – and using the work to create our new campus in Harrogate as the inspiration for a film project. He said: “I never thought I would have created a film project related to Harrogate College though, which is something I am proud of! “A major part of my Harrogate College journey has been my tutors. They have all been absolutely brilliant, and I certainly wouldn’t have got to where I am now without their support and enthusiasm. “I’m excited and looking forward to seeing the new buildings taking shape at the college, but also I will miss the current building which has been the core of my educational journey ever since starting in 2017.” Reece aims to pursue film and photography related work once he completes his studies. If you’re a former student, whether you graduated last year or many years ago, we’d love to hear from you! Joining our alumni network is a great way to reconnect, share your journey, and inspire current students. To get involved and share your story, simply scan the QR code below. We can’t wait to hear from you! ________________________________________________________ Courses for businesses We run a number of courses, at different points throughout the year, that could benefit your business. Upcoming sessions include Social Media Marketing for Business, a Social Media Analytics programme, and a Leadership and Management course.  Follow this link to find out more and book your place. ________________________________________________________ We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of our newsletter – we’ll be back with more next time!

Techbuyer has become the first sponsor of our under-construction £22m new campus.

The sustainable IT solutions firm, which has its headquarters at Hornbeam Park, already works closely with the college on everything from student visits and joint projects to guest talks and work placements.

It has also joined our Employer Board, which was set up to let local businesses collaborate with us to ensure the curriculum is delivering the courses and skills the region needs.

Techbuyer has now become the first commercial sponsor of the new campus which is set to open, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment to meet North Yorkshire’s priority skills needs, in early 2027.

Supporting education, skills development and innovation

The sponsorship will lead to one of the new main building’s digital rooms receiving Techbuyer branding, and to the company committing to two visits per year to talk to students.

CEO of Techbuyer Europe, Steve Sexton, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the first business sponsor of the college’s new building; this reflects our long-term commitment to education and skills development in the area.

“Access to high-quality learning environments and current technology will help ensure students gain hands-on experience that mirrors the workplace.

“We believe the new building will become a hub for innovation and industry engagement, and help create clear pathways from education into skilled employment.”

Building on strong foundations

Techbuyer Europe’s Head of Marketing, Katie Fraser‑Smith, said: “We see this sponsorship as part of an ongoing partnership.

“From the outset, we’ve been impressed by the college’s commitment to equipping students with practical, industry-relevant skills. 

“We’ve been pleased to offer a range of opportunities to students, including work experience placements, careers talks, and insight sessions into our industry. These give them valuable exposure to real working environments and help bridge the gap between education and employment.

“We’re especially proud that two students who completed work experience with us have since gone on to secure permanent roles within our company. That’s a fantastic outcome for them and for us, and demonstrates the value of early engagement.”

An exciting new chapter ahead

Our new main building will be fitted with high-end kit, including a Virtual Reality studio and eight digital suites, to ensure it can keep pace with advances in technology.

Other new facilities will include a full replica hospital ward, an advanced construction centre and a renewable energy technology base.

Principal Danny Wild said: “It is great to welcome one of our key partners and neighbours, Techbuyer, as the first sponsor of our new college building.

“The company provides so many fantastic opportunities for our students and we have already achieved some great things together. We look forward to further developing this very rewarding working relationship as we move forward into an exciting new chapter for both the college and the region.”

Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor of the new campus, which brings with it a range of promotional opportunities and benefits, should e-mail: Lynn-Yang.Liu@harrogate.ac.uk.

We were pleased to welcome Tom Gordon to Harrogate College to celebrate Colleges Week and highlight the important role further education plays in developing skills across our community.

Marking this year’s theme, “Skills for All,” Tom Gordon MP visited a range of classes focused on practical, career-focused training, including catering and community interpretation. 

During the visit, he joined a session on the college’s community interpreter course, which supports learners who speak other languages to develop the professional skills needed to help people access services and integrate into life in the UK. Tom had recently visited Ukraine and was able to speak about his experiences with learners.

Tom was also able see some of our catering students preparing for a lunchtime service. Given many of our students go on to work within Harrogate’s hospitality industry, it was great to show Tom how we are preparing them for a future in one of the town’s key sectors.

Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, said:

“Tom’s visit during Colleges Week was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the breadth of learning taking place at Harrogate College. From our catering students developing the professional skills they’ll take into industry settings, to adult ESOL learners who are building new lives and careers in the UK, colleges play an important role in promoting opportunity and integration across society.”

Tom Gordon MP said:

“It is always a pleasure to visit Harrogate College. They provide a fantastic opportunity for learners across our local area to develop industry ready skills, making jobs more accessible and opening up new opportunities for people. I enjoyed speaking to students about the opportunities they are able to access through the college.”

Twenty of our art students have seen their artwork installed at a new mental health building in Harrogate following a collaboration with local child and adolescent mental health services.

The students spent eight months developing the pieces now displayed throughout Hummingbird House, a new child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) facility in Harrogate.

The pieces were developed specifically for the new clinical space, with the aim of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for young people and families.

Gillian Gentle, a team manager at Harrogate child and adolescent mental health services, said:

“We wanted to make sure the building featured artwork created by young people, for young people.

“The pieces are designed to create a welcoming environment with positive messages for the children, young people and families who use our services. They took creative inspiration from our CHIME framework – connection, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment.

“Staff met with the students at several stages during the creation of the artwork to review ideas and support the development of the final pieces. The completed artworks are now on display across Hummingbird House, including in waiting areas, corridors and clinic rooms.”

Students visited the building to see their work installed and to mark the completion of the project.

The students used a range of techniques including drawing, watercolours, digital print and photography, with many pieces inspired by nature such as parks, rivers and flowers. One artwork also includes an original poem written by a student.

Bethany, a level 3 art student at the college, said: “To actually be able to come in and see our work up on a wall, it’s a nice experience. It’s not just like we’ve done it and it’s left in our sketchbooks. Other people can enjoy the work that we’ve produced.”

Emily, another student involved in the project, said: “We chose to do a playground because it reminds us of our childhood and a place where we feel safe and happy. It was a very stressful process, it took some time, but to see it up after all the hard work, it’s nice!”

Jason, curriculum manager for creative practice and creative media at Harrogate College, said:

“It’s a really important project undertaken by our college students. I think the emphasis around mental health and raising awareness around it is synonymous with art students in the way they express themselves.

“We’re really pleased and to have their work visible shows that real link between what we’re doing at the college and the mental health services in our local area.”

Lynn, performance and projects co-ordinator, added:

“We are really proud of our students for getting involved with this project. Connecting with local community is very crucial. This valuable experience not only gives our students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom but also provides a platform for them to make a positive impact on the local community. We welcome more opportunities like this from all employers and community groups.”

Brian Cranna, care group director of operations and transformation at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We want people from our local communities to be involved in our services. This is more than just a building – it should feel like part of the community and that means, just like with Harrogate College, people coming in to help us shape it, to help us make it feel friendly and welcoming.

“We value the involvement of the very talented young people at the college, and we look forward to continuing working together into the future.”

Harrogate College held its first careers session in partnership with Harrogate Town AFC, welcoming young players from the club’s U14 to U16 Player Development Centre (PDC). The event aimed to inspire and inform these aspiring footballers about the many routes their passion for the game could take them, both on and off the pitch.

The evening opened with an engaging talk from Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, who drew on his background in elite sports coaching. His transition from sports to education leadership resonated particularly well with the young audience, demonstrating how skills developed in sport can open doors to a wide range of careers.

Brody Pattison, Harrogate Town’s content creator, followed with a unique and relatable perspective. Starting a YouTube channel at just 13, Brody carved out his own path into a role he now thrives in – showing that creativity and initiative can lead to exciting opportunities within the world of football.

Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town AFC, closed the speaker segment with an inspiring talk about her journey to becoming a chief executive. Her story, full of determination and resilience, offered a real-life example of where ambition and hard work can lead.

Practical guidance came from Anita, part of the college’s transitions team, who gave an overview of the various options available after GCSEs.

Her advice helped demystify the decision-making process and provided useful tips for choosing the right next step, whether that be A-levels, vocational courses, or apprenticeships.

Parents who attended the session shared glowing feedback. One, with two sons in the U15 group, said: “I found the talks really interesting. I wasn’t sure how my two lads would take it but both listened attentively throughout – this isn’t always the case! I’m keen for them to explore what they might do in the future and using one of their passions, football, was a good way of doing this. More of this please.”

Another commented, “The host and all the speakers were very good. I think if we’d had time to ‘mingle’ at the end, we’d have stayed and asked a few questions of each of the speakers. We’ll definitely be at the next one!”

A parent of a U14 player added, “The careers talk was very informative and gave the boys a wider perspective on the journey their love of football can take them. The speakers were passionate and gave the boys a good insight into the different paths careers can take and said the focus was ‘if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.’”

Jo Towler, Commercial Director at Harrogate Town AFC, praised the partnership, saying, “Harrogate College is a vital resource for the local educational and business community, and we appreciate their support for our club and the wider Harrogate District. Our collaboration on the recent careers session adds an important educational element to helping us inspire and develop young people in their future career choices and pathways.”

This session builds on two years of meaningful collaboration between Harrogate College and Harrogate Town AFC, with both organisations continuing to explore ways to support and inspire the next generation through the power of football.

Image credit: Brody Pattison

Our partnership work with local businesses is set to be taken to the next level through the formation of Harrogate College Employer Board.

The new body was proposed at the latest meeting of the college’s Employers’ Network as a way to build on the work we are doing to ensure employers can influence key areas like our curriculum and skills training programmes.

The theme of the meeting, chaired by Principal Danny Wild, was Strengthening Business Relationships: Driving an Employer-Led Curriculum.

The discussions focused on three key areas: 

• Co-designing the 2024-25 curriculum, through working closely with local employers
• Evolving business relationship by creating deeper partnerships
• Introducing Harrogate College Employer Board

An exciting new chapter

Danny said: “We are excited to share details of this new chapter of collaboration with local businesses and are looking forward to working together to create an influential, employer-led education experience for students and industry alike.

“Throughout the meeting, employers provided valuable feedback on strengthening ties between the college and the business community, and expressed strong support for establishing the new board – seeing it as an opportunity to have a more significant influence on the college’s offerings and priorities.

“We will be drawing up and sharing a new action plan, based on these discussions, and inviting employers’ network members to offer further feedback to shape the next steps of this promising partnership.”

A charity that specialises in supporting men’s wellbeing will open its first Harrogate branch in January – here at the college.

Andy’s Man Club (AMC) has groups around the country but has had no representation in this part of Yorkshire, until now.

The organisation, which offers free peer-to-peer support sessions, will open its local branch at the campus on Monday 22 January, 2024.

Backing from soap star Dominic

The move is being supported by Emmerdale actor Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk in the long-running soap. In a short video he created for the charity, Dominic said: “I’m overjoyed to let you know that there’s a new Andy’s Man Club opening in Harrogate, at Harrogate College.

“So see you there: it’s ok to talk.”

The branch, open to men aged 18 and over who can turn up whenever they wish, will run from 7pm to 9pm each Monday, apart from Bank Holidays.

An ‘invaluable service’ for men’s mental health

Our Pastoral/Safeguarding programme manager, Kerry Walker, said: “This is such a fantastic opportunity for learners, staff and the local community.

“Andy’s Man Club is performing an invaluable service in supporting men with their mental health and we are delighted, as a college, to be providing a space for them.

“Many of our learners will turn 18 while they are with us so they, along with so many people in the community, are set to benefit.”

The arrangements for the new branch were led by Neil Waine, who appeared in an episode of Emmerdale earlier this year when the storyline focused on men’s mental health, and saw ‘Paddy’ seek out a local AMC group for help.

Great support and and a great venue

Neil, a Project Development Champion (PDC) Manager for the charity, said: “We are really excited to get going in Harrogate and delighted with the college’s support.

“We have been trying to open here for roughly twelve months and once we had the right team in place it was time to find a venue.

“Having visited Kerry it became very clear that the college really wanted to support us and the size of the college gives the group scope to grow, so we’re confident this will be a successful venue.

“Having the support of Emmerdale, ITV and Dom Brunt, in particular, is amazing and we are very grateful. We got to know Dom really well when we were involved in an Emmerdale storyline, and he happily agreed to do the promotional video for our Harrogate group.”

To find out more send an email to: info@andysmanclub.co.uk or follow AndysManClub Harrogate on Facebook.

Young carers have been putting their culinary skills to the test with us.

Members of the Harrogate Young Carers group – part of Carers’ Resource – have all had to shoulder the responsibility of looking after a sibling, parent or other relative at an early age.

That means they often have limited opportunities to enjoy themselves, so when they do get a chance to have fun they grab it.

The college helped them do just that recently when we invited 18 young carers along to use the training kitchens.

The visitors made the most of the opportunity by creating pizzas from scratch, batches of brownies and more. The event was supported by RAF Menwith Hill, which supplied the ingredients, and Heck Food Ltd, which donated a variety of sausages so the children could guess what each one was made of.

A great day out making treats

Young Care Practitioner at Carers’ Resource, Linda Hall said: “The young carers had a fantastic time; the feedback was that they had the best day ever, and didn’t want it to end!

“This was a chance for them to have some respite, away from their caring roles, and to be with others who are in the same situation. They had the pizzas that they made for lunch, made brownies to take home, and enjoyed quizzes about chocolate and other foods.

“The venue was perfect for them as they feel really grown up there, and love the whole set-up of the kitchens. We are very grateful to the college for the invitation and its support.”

The kitchens are usually used by our catering and hospitality students, including on themed dining nights which are open to the public. This autumn the facilities will also be used by those who sign up for two new courses, an After School Cookery Club and, for adults, an Italian cooking course.

A warm welcome for ‘extraordinary visitors

We have invited young carers in to use the kitchens before, as part of our wider support for the group. Hospitality Programme Manager, Jason Parry said: “These young people do extraordinary things every day for others, while also having to deal with their studies and all their other everyday duties.

“So they thoroughly deserve any chance they can get to have fun and enjoy some carefree moments.

“We are delighted to support groups like Harrogate Young Carers, which do such brilliant work in our local community, whenever we can.  They are welcome back any time.”

The team at Carers’ Resource supports young carers in the Bradford, Harrogate, Craven and Selby districts by organising trips, activities, mentoring, youth clubs and more. To find out more visit www.carersresource.org/young-carers/ .