Building careers

The academy in Dewsbury, which opened in August, is home to 130 students training for various construction trade roles including joinery, plastering, decorating and tiling.

Mr Wood (Lab) said: “I was very impressed with Kirklees College Construction Academy, its curriculum leader Jonathan Inglesfield and the young men and women who are training there.”

The academy was set up in a disused college building using a £200,000 grant from the Skills Funding Agency.

Batley and Spen MP Mr Wood also congratulated the College on its latest Ofsted report, in which inspectors gave an overall rating of ‘excellent’.

“Uniquely, the college has raised its attainment by two grades in one go I understand.

“Everyone at Kirklees College contributing to this have to be congratulated,” he said.