We are pleased to share that we have been rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features following our recent Ofsted inspection. 

Our dedicated and highly skilled staff, along with our strong collaboration with regional stakeholders, were praised for designing education programmes that align with local employment needs.

We are especially proud of the report’s strong endorsement of our mission and positive influence within the college.

“Learners with high needs successfully develop the knowledge and skills that they need for adulthood and to lead more independent lives. Adult learners benefit from access to a wide range of courses that meet their learning needs and the needs of local employers and the communities in which they live.”

This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering consistently high-quality, inclusive education that transforms lives and enriches the communities we serve.

For more details, visit Ofsted to read the full report.

Some of our closest business partners have been sharing their memories of the college during our 200^th anniversary year.

We have established strong links with so many of the district’s companies over the past two centuries, not least through training their workforces.

In the case of Fives Landis, the relationship has involved training many apprentices who have gone on to become part of the firm’s senior leadership team – including Managing Director Phil Jenkins.

Engineering Director Ian Wellcock, who began his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with the college in 1999, said: “All Landis apprentices went through the college, and we have many success stories.”

Inspiring future generations

Mechanical Engineering Administrator Amanda Dowden started as an apprentice at Fives Landis, which manufactures grinding equipment for the automotive industry, in 1978.

She said: “Studying at the college has shaped my career, and it helped give me the confidence to do something I enjoyed in an area that was not seen as something a woman would do in those days.

“The college has been an integral part of training future engineers. I hope it continues for another 200 years, inspiring generations to come.”

Meeting local demand

Apprenticeship manager John Harrison’s career at Fives Landis, meanwhile, spans four decades. He said: “The college was integral to training future engineers for what was then Landis Lund Ltd.

“While apprentices once had to travel elsewhere for training, we’ve now returned to our roots, with Keighley College as our main apprenticeship provider.”

A past to be proud of – and an exciting future

We are proud to have been able to help shape the careers of generations of residents, and provide them with more opportunities, for 200 years.

Originally established as Keighley Mechanics’ Institute on Valentine’s Day, 1825, the college has played a vital role in the community and continues to be a cornerstone of education and professional development.

We recently held a special evening meal for our partners, local dignitaries and past and present staff and students to celebrate the anniversary – and will be holding more events throughout the year.

Make sure you stay up to date with all the latest Keighley College news.

Subhan Mahmood has had more reason than most to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

The 19 year old has landed a full-time position with Acorn Stairlifts after impressing the Steeton business during his time there as one of our apprentices.

Subhan began his training with the stairlift manufacturer’s customer services team in August, 2023 and made an impact thanks to his enthusiasm, hard work and desire to learn new skills.

Those qualities convinced the business to offer him a permanent role, and Subhan – who previously worked in a fast-food restaurant – couldn’t be happier.

‘I’m on my way!’

He said: “It feels fantastic. I think my hard work has really paid off and I’m well on my way to achieving my goal of becoming a service engineer for Acorn.

“In customer service, I talk to customers on the phone, helping them if they have any problems with their stairlift, and book services for them.

“I had a good experience on my apprenticeship course. Every Monday I had sessions with my tutor, Sarah Barwell, who really helped me with my coursework. And my team leaders at college were very supportive if I needed extra help.

“I would recommend doing an apprenticeship to others. I have gained so much customer service experience through my apprenticeship, placement, and coursework and I’m comfortable now talking to different customers in a good manner.”

A reward for commitment and a positive attitude

Subhan’s Team Leader at Acorn Stairlifts, Bethany Berry, said: “The apprentices we take on from the college are always hard-working and add value to our business, but Subhan stood out.

“He showed that he was willing to try hard throughout his apprenticeship, and was always happy to take part in any training offered to help him gain further knowledge of Acorn and our stairlifts.

“He has also been working hard on improving his customer service soft skills, and as a result has one of our highest inbound call numbers.

“Subhan has aspirations of becoming a service engineer at Acorn, so we will help in every way that we can with that – at the moment he is working in our customer services faults team to build up his knowledge of the product.”

‘A brilliant option’ – apprenticeships unlock careers

Our college, which is preparing to open a dedicated new Engineering hub, has a longstanding working relationship with Acorn Stairlifts and regularly places apprentices, plus supported interns, with the firm.

Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Growth, Clare Fitzgerald, said: “We are delighted to see Subhan land this position which could be his first step into a rewarding career.

“It is through our partnerships with prestigious local firms like Acorn Stairlifts that we secure quality placements for our apprentices and students that lead to opportunities like this.

“Apprenticeships are a brilliant option for anyone who wants to earn while they learn and gain a quick route into their chosen career path, as Subhan’s story – which we’re proud to share during National Apprenticeship Week – demonstrates.”

National Apprenticeship Week, which this year runs from Monday 10 to Sunday 16 February, is a  week-long annual celebration that highlights the benefits of apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the economy.

A group of our apprentices have just taken up positions at GP practices across West and North Yorkshire.

The move represents an exciting new stage in the college’s relationship with healthcare provider Modality Partnership.

Ten of our students will be putting their Level 3 Business Administration skills to good use at Modality-run GP surgeries in Keighley, Haworth, Crosshills, Skipton and more.

A great step into the world of work

Our Head of Business Engagement and Growth, Clare Fitzgerald, said: “We pride ourselves on working closely with the local community and respected organisations like Modality.

“This is a great opportunity for our apprentices to gain some invaluable, early real-world experience at a variety of GP surgeries in and around the district.”

Modality has previously teamed up with the college for a number of community health initiatives, including vaccination and health check clinics that were held on the campus. Speakers from the company have also given talks to our health and social care students as well as Access to Higher Education learners and staff.

An investment in young people

GP partner and Modality AWC Medical Director, Debbie Livesey, said: “It is fantastic to have ten apprentices from Keighley College with us this year and we look forward to helping them develop their careers in the health and care sector.

“We want to invest in local young people, give them the opportunity to build a career in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, and to inspire the next generation of healthcare employees.”

We’re committed to inspiring the next generation of future filmmakers, so when Northern Fortress Films owner, Louisa Mackleston, agreed to a session with our Foundation Studies Film Club, we jumped at the chance to give our students the opportunity to learn directly from an industry expert.

The session prompted our students to produce and enter a film in the We’re Rolling – Bradford Young Filmmakers Challenge competition – with exciting results!

Every Wednesday, like-minded students on our Foundation Studies programmes get together for an hour to immerse themselves in the gripping world of film.

The students, who all possess a love for film, use the club to produce films and explore different genres and techniques used by professional filmmakers.

Tips and advice from an industry expert

This is where Northern Fortress Films (NFF), a Keighley-based, award-winning, grassroots production company, came in – providing the students with real-world insights and practical  experience in the dynamic field of film and media.

Focused on telling socially conscious stories, the production company’s aim is to shine a spotlight on northern talent and give these voices the chance to share their experiences.

Diversity and representation are at the core of all NFF films and they aim to change the culture of the industry by keeping these values at the forefront of their filmmaking.

After an initial introduction about the different roles she undertakes in her organisation, owner Louisa shared her own career beginnings as an assistant director in TV and film, as well as her journey to establishing her own filming company.

Introducing Emerald Dreams

Louisa then tasked the students with producing a 10-minute film for the NFF Burgeoning Filmmakers competition on a topic of their choice, as long as it was based in the Bradford area.

“The students had full creative control,” she says. “It could be fictional, nonfictional, actual or animated.”

“I wanted them to think about how they could tell a story so it resonated with an audience. This might be an account of how life is right now, a tale from the past or their vision for Bradford in the future.”

The group created Emerald Dreams, a sci-fi comedy set at Keighley College featuring Mada – an alternate universe character based on student and cast member Adam.

As well as writing the script and deciding on the order of filming, the students developed their editing skills – both individually and as a group – while receiving additional support from Student Engagement Officer, Chris Nichols.

Louisa’s guidance not only provided a focus for the project, but also knowledge our students could immediately apply to their own filming. After Louisa’s visit, the students began re-scripting, re-filming, and adding sound and music to the edited footage.

Despite this being the students’ first submission, Emerald Dreams reached the final stages of the We’re Rolling Bradford Young Filmmakers Challenge. Staff, students and their families attended the awards ceremony in July.

Connecting with other industry professionals

Following submission of Emerald Dreams, the film club visited The Unit, a local organisation, sponsored by Channel 4, that focuses on introducing film to hard-to-reach communities. Meeting Director, Jordan Scott Kennedy, and being introduced to the organisation’s community work, enabled the students to learn how they could get involved in its activities.

Our partnership with Airedale General Hospital has played a key role in our health and social care courses, allowing apprentices, vocational students and supported interns to enter the important industry feeling job-ready.

Over the years, we’ve successfully hosted assessment centres for these apprenticeships and have worked together to design apprenticeship vacancies for individuals who are new to healthcare.

Even better, we regularly collaborate on workforce planning across the district to ensure the NHS can meet future staffing needs and have even connected with the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust to share best practices. 

Here are a few success stories that we’re proud of from the last eight years of this partnership.

Launching our first apprenticeship placement

In 2017, a group of healthcare apprentices began the first ever Keighley College placement with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. The students spent 12 months working across clinical areas and delivering care to patients alongside experienced staff.

The opportunity arose from a partnership agreement between the Trust and Keighley College, which recognised the importance of practical experience alongside classroom learning in developing the next generation of healthcare staff. 

Ian Hargreaves, Assistant Director at the Trust and a former Keighley College governor, said: “We are delighted to have recruited our first group of apprentice healthcare workers and are overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and desire to care for our patients.”

Teaching real skills with supported internships

In September 2018, we launched a supported internship programme with just four students, placing them in Airedale hospital departments such as administration, laundry services, sterile services, estates and mobility services.

Two of these interns successfully secured permanent roles in administration and sterile services – and continue to work there today.

Siddeqa, who has worked in the Administration department since 2019, says: “When I first started I was nervous, but excited to learn new skills. I experienced what it’s like to work in a real work environment. I love my job at Airedale General Hospital and without the support of Keighley College and staff at the hospital, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Supported internships are work-based study programmes, combined with an education, health and care plan, for students aged 16-24 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These unpaid work placements help these students – who wouldn’t ordinarily encounter such opportunities – to learn real skills for future employment.

The college also holds an annual Supported Internship Information Event, where senior management at Airedale hospital have the opportunity to engage with new interns, parents and members of our Careers team.

Our ongoing partnership with the hospital has ensured a growing range of supported internship placements each year, tailored to students’ interests and aspirations. 

Answering the call during Covid-19

A few years later, Holly Greenhalgh’s apprenticeship at Keighley College required her to meet the rising demands the pandemic placed on the healthcare system, earning her an ‘Employee of the Month’ award for the excellent personal care and emotional support she provided Airedale General Hospital’s Covid-19 ward.

Holly credited her apprenticeship with offering her a ‘real opportunity to make a difference within the community’ and relayed how working in a real work environment even bolstered her academic work.

“When I started my apprenticeship, I struggled with dyslexia and the college team was incredibly supportive in identifying useful resources to aid my academic work. 

“Since enrolling, my confidence has sky-rocketed and I have even completed an additional Level 3 research task on dementia. I hope the findings from my research will enable me to supply the best care possible on the ward.”

Treating the future: nurturing talent in healthcare

While studying for her Level 1 qualification in 2022-23, Health & Social Care student, Keira Brookes, worked as a healthcare support worker on Airedale General Hospital’s Elderly Medical Ward, caring for around 21 patients.

Her work placement provided support to the wider team when providing individual patient care and assistance during mealtimes. These experiences provided Keira with first-hand insight into the daily management and running of a busy ward. 

Keria says her experiences opened her eyes to the varied support healthcare workers must provide patients and their relatives, which includes end of life and palliative care support. 

“During these sad times, I learnt how to be there for the patients and their families by doing the last offices after a patient has passed away”, she says. “Getting to know the relatives is just as important in a healthcare support role and something as simple as providing an update on how the patient has been doing can make a crucial difference.”

Ward Manager, Lara Clarkson, noted Keira’s excellent communication skills, especially when liaising with all members of the multidisciplinary team to promote and ensure patients receive a holistic approach to care. 

Keira was grateful to the staff she worked with, who were on hand to offer advice and answer her questions, and says this helped her gain so much confidence.

Since her placement, Kiera has carried out work experience with Bradford Royal Infirmary, completed a Level 3 diploma and started a nursing degree at university.

Practical skills that give back to the community

In recent years, the work experience our students do with Airedale General Hospital has also taken on a more indirect approach to supporting healthcare outcomes. Earlier this year, electrical students, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Yousaf, began industry placements with the Robertsons Group, where they teamed up with construction engineering company, NG Bailey, to learn how to build and set up hospital wards. 

As a token of our appreciation for both the hospital and the NHS, last year Keighley College students created ‘pocket heart’ gifts for staff, patients and their families in Airedale hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). 

Laura Hepworth, Community Fundraiser at the ICU said: “We are so happy for the kind donation from Keighley College. The talented students have made some beautiful hearts in lovely bright fabric that the patients will love. Thank you so much.”

With so many impactful stories and experiences in recent years, we can’t wait to see more students developing their practical skills and experience to support the area’s healthcare services over the coming years.

The local media has been shining a spotlight on one of our many successful apprentices!

In a new article, the Keighley News describes how Sam Holder has taken up a position with Silsden-based dental firm, EthOss Regeneration.

Sam, one of our Level 3 Business Administration apprentices, has joined the business – which is an innovator in dental implant and bone grafting solutions – as an office administrator.

An amazing experience

The 16 year old is loving the experience, which he describes as ‘amazing from day one’, and would urge anyone else considering an apprenticeship to ‘go for it’.

EthOss Regeneration’s managing director Peter Wheeler, meanwhile, is a strong supporter of apprenticeships and says the company is thrilled to have Sam on board, and to see what he goes on to do.

Sam’s work so far has included learning all about the customer ordering process and teamwork, and he hopes to use the knowledge and skills he picks up to progress to higher level qualifications in the future.

Our Business Engagement Advisor, Saffron Kahn, says the placement with EthOss Regeneration is testament to Sam’s drive and determination.

A brilliant way to learn new skills

Thanking the company for its continued support, she added: “Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for individuals to learn new skills through hands-on experience in the workplace, combined with further training to support development and progression.”

The college currently has more than 400 apprentices pursuing training in everything from engineering to childcare.

You can read more about Sam’s story (which also appeared in the Telegraph & Argus) in the Keighley News, here.

Our students and first-time voters have been sharing their thoughts on the current political landscape with BBC Look North.

Media attention is once again turning our district’s way thanks to the Keighley and Ilkley constituency’s renowned status as a ‘bellwether’ swing seat during general election years.

With this year’s election now set for Thursday 4 July and as some of our students prepare to cast their vote for the first time, BBC Look North presenter Phil Bodmer was keen to talk to them about what they see as priorities for the political battle ahead.

What did our first-time voters have to say?

Health and social care student, Saif Rehman, cited employment as a key issue: “There are 17 year olds that can’t find jobs here because there aren’t many opportunities”.

She also called on politicians to make achievable, rather than empty promises, adding: “Now it’s the younger generation’s turn so take into account what they want from you and if you can make it happen, make it happen.”

It’s time to engage with young people

Meanwhile, engineering apprentice Oscar Gamble, said aspiring MPs had their work cut out just to get young people interested.

He had this message for them: “Think of new ways to get younger people into politics. Quite a lot of people that I know are not really bothered.”

In the end, it was Phil who summed it up: “Whichever party wins here tends to be the party that picks up the keys to number 10 Downing Street.”

Principal Kevin O’Hare and Head of Construction and Building Services, Greg Bourke, explain why experienced tradespeople can make the difference

Our town and district has a proud history of being a centre for skilled trades.

It is also well positioned, through initiatives like the Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub we will open later this year, to build on that reputation.

But exciting schemes like this, vital as they are, and all the theoretical knowledge we can communicate in the classroom are only half the story. While there’s no doubt that advances in AI and immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) have improved our ability to teach practical subjects, students also need to hear from, and see, actual humans who can share their lived experience.

The need for industry-experienced teachers

West Yorkshire is currently suffering due to a scarcity of these kinds of teachers who have a wealth of industry expertise just waiting to be passed on. That, in turn, is hampering the work our college and other education and training providers are doing, not least through apprenticeships, to address the skills gaps holding our economy back.

Those gaps are real and, particularly in certain sectors, severe. The UK Trade Skills Index 2023 flagged up that the UK will need 937,000 new recruits in trades and construction, where vacancies are currently at record highs, over the next 10 years.

That makes the effort we put into creating a pipeline of newly skilled tradespeople to replace those who are retiring all the more important. Demand to study these subjects is actually high but our ability to train is being hindered because there aren’t enough teachers with the required industry experience.

This shortage could well lead to a decline in the number of apprentices entering these trades and, ultimately, translate into a shortage of qualified tradespeople.

A time for action

Our top priority has to be the recruitment of key further education staff, with suitable industry experience, to support and drive training. A collaborative approach involving closer working relationships with the sector is crucial to achieve this.

We are proud to have already developed a strong partnership with the local engineering and manufacturing industry, and enjoy fruitful partnerships with firms like Ex-Pressed Steel Panels, Teconnex, Produmax, Byworth Boilers and Acorn Stairlifts. To solve this teaching crisis, we need to build on that while forging similar bonds with electrical and construction service businesses.

How you can help the next generation

A major part of the challenge is to convince tradespeople that they actually have something to offer in the educational space. Many don’t necessarily see themselves as educators and, while wanting to help, perhaps feel they lack the expertise or confidence to teach – especially if they had negative experiences at school.

If that sounds like you then we have a very simple message: it doesn’t matter to us what your O Levels or GCSEs were, we just need individuals who feel they can give something back, engage with young people and communicate the things they’ve learnt from doing their everyday jobs. It’s about making it understandable to the young people who come to us and, in turn, our students have so much respect for those who have ‘walked the walk’.

The time to act is now and here at college we’ll be doing just that on Tuesday 14 May, when we’ll be inviting electricians and plumbers to pop in, see what we do, and find out about getting involved in the wonderfully rewarding world of teaching. To find out more about our Brew and Trades Chat visit https://bit.ly/4blnNTb .