£19m college building will train next generation of automotive engineers in Bradford
It's constructed on the former site of the college’s old arts building on Thornton Road
Last updated 15th Sep 2026
AN “absolutely phenomenal” £19m college building that will train the next generation of automotive engineers has opened in Bradford city centre.
Junction Mills, Bradford College’s Motor Vehicle & Engineering Building, will train pupils on how to repair and maintain vehicles – including the latest hybrid, EV and Hydrogen cell models.
Constructed on the former site of the college’s old arts building on Thornton Road – which had stood derelict for years before it was demolished, up to 650 pupils will now train in the new building.
The College says the building will be “vital in supporting the growth of electric and hybrid vehicle capability within West Yorkshire.”
Staff said the facility will mean Bradford will soon have a workforce ready for the impending switch from fossil fuel to electric vehicles and other greener fuels.
The four-storey new build was made possible thanks to £17.8 million funding from the Department for Education Further Education Capital Transformation Fund and a £1.5 million College contribution.
It is build on the site of the original Junction Mill – a former textile mill that later became an arts school for Bradford College.
The mill was demolished, and the construction of the new building has been one of the biggest developments in the city centre since the completion of One City Park.
The opening was marked by a special ceremony led by car journalist, content creator and presenter Abigayle André, alongside Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South.
The ground floor of the building is a large garage style set up where students can work on traditional cars along with EV bays and a hydrogen fuel car.
There are numerous classrooms including mock ups of engines and car parts, as well as rooms where pupils learn the science behind new style vehicles.
The College’s engineering facility was previously based at Bowling Back Lane. That space is now home to the College’s Electrical Academy following an extensive summer refurbishment.
Speaking to guests at Friday’s opening Steve Smith, Manager for Construction & Engineering at Bradford College, said: “This will teach students modern workplace skills and knowledge, and provide the platform they need to succeed in their future careers.
“We know how rapidly the industry is changing, with hybrid vehicles, electric and even hydrogen.
“You can’t de-carbon a vehicle fleet without de-carboning the skills of the people who will maintain it.”
Miss André said: “It is not just about what the industry looks like today, it is about the people who will shape what it looks like tomorrow. It is a real privilege to be here.”
Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College, said: “It’s fantastic to see Junction Mills ready to welcome students after all the hard work of everyone involved. My thanks go to our staff, partners Morgan Sindall Construction and Bond Bryan Architects, and all the local and regional contractors who helped bring the project to life.
“Junction Mills is a major step forward in how we prepare young people for exciting, fast-moving careers in automotive and engineering industries.”
Mr Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the College had seen increased demand for its engineering courses, and a growing interest among students in EV and hybrid technology.
He said: “For us this building is groundbreaking, you look around and everything is geared towards supporting the industry. It is key that we embed new technology in everything we’re doing.
“When they finish this course, they’ll be leaving with the skill set that employers need.
“We’ve put our money where out mouth is. We’ve invested in a facility to deal with the skills shortage in the industry.
“We do need employers on board to feed into what we are teaching here.”
The building is the latest new development on the Thornton Road corridor. Referring to the former mill building, Mr Smith said: “Look what was here before and what we have now. We’ve got Bradford Live down the road, the new hydrogen network – it is all bringing more life to this part of Bradford.”
Bradford Council Leader Stephen Place attended the opening, and told the LDRS: “It’s just amazing – it’s absolutely phenomenal.”
Referring to the focus on EV and hydrogen fuel training, he said: “It’s the future – it’s exactly where we need to be focusing on.
“As a Council we’re pushing for a similar facility for construction, training in construction is underrepresented in the District.”