Yvette Cooper, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, has officially opened a new state-of-the-art construction facility at Castleford College, marking a significant moment for skills education and workforce development in West Yorkshire.
The new Lagentium Building, named after the Roman fort historically located in Castleford, provides over 1,580 square metres of modern learning space. It has been designed to serve as a hub for teaching, apprenticeships and practical skills development across a wide range of construction disciplines including brickwork, carpentry and joinery, design, and surveying.
Cooper officially unveiled the building at a ceremony attended by employers, local authorities, education partners, governors and senior staff from the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, which operates Castleford College alongside sister institutions in Selby and Wakefield. The event recognised the importance of high-quality apprenticeship and skills provision for the future of the regional construction workforce.
Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said the project had always been about more than physical infrastructure. “From the outset, our vision for this facility has been about far more than bricks and mortar. We set out to create a space dedicated to high-quality teaching, apprenticeships and hands-on skills development, one that supports both academic learning and advanced vocational training.”
Wright added that the facility was intended to serve learners and staff for many years and would help the region contribute to addressing the national construction skills shortage. “Most importantly, it is a space designed to serve our learners and staff for many years to come, helping our region play its part in bridging the construction skills gap and building a stronger, more sustainable future,” he said.
Cooper has strong existing ties to the college, having previously officiated the formal launch of Castleford College in November 2022 when it was granted official college status following the formation of the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. She also toured the construction development while serving as Home Secretary in an earlier capacity.
The new facility supports learners across a wide range of industry relevant training programmes designed to reflect genuine workplace conditions. It positions Castleford College as a more significant centre for construction skills in the region at a time when the UK construction sector faces well-documented workforce shortages and a growing need to transition toward more sustainable building practices.
Following the opening ceremony, guests were invited to tour the facility and view the learning spaces in active use.
