Future Technology Centre officially opens its doors in Bradford
Following completion in July 2026, Bradford College’s Future Technology Centre at Junction Mills officially opened its doors, ready to welcome its first cohort of students who will help shape the future of the automotive and digital engineering industry. CPW is proud to have supported the delivery of this landmark facility alongside the wider project team.
Friday 11th September marked the official opening of the Future Technology Centre, the £19 million development set to support 650 students studying Automotive and Engineering disciplines. The facility is the UK’s first educational institute dedicated to future automotive technologies including electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, providing specialist learning environments for students alongside opportunities to network with industry professionals.
The launch event brought together project partners, stakeholders and college representatives to celebrate the completion of the landmark facility and the opportunities it will create for future generations of automotive talent. Attending on behalf of CPW were Director, Kevin Ballantyne, and Principal Electrical Engineer, Tony Hirst. The opening ceremony was led by car journalist, presenter and content creator, Abigayle André, alongside Judith Cummins, local MP for Bradford South and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.
The event provided attendees with the opportunity to tour the facility, explore its specialist learning environments and hear more about the vital role the Future Technology Centre will play in developing the next generation of automotive talent.
CPW were proud to support the project at RIBA Stage 3 alongside the wider design team. Our role included the specialist design of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems to maintain safe, high-quality workshop environments, alongside electrical infrastructure for electric and hydrogen vehicle technologies and power provision for specialist teaching equipment, including future-ready EV charging facilities.
The new four-storey development replaces the former Junction Mills building, which had reached the end of its operational life due to suffering from key structural issues and asbestos. Its redevelopment presented a unique opportunity for Bradford College to create a purpose-built facility aligned with its estate consolidation and sustainability strategy.
The £19 million development was made possible through £15 million of funding from the Department of Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), alongside further investment from Bradford College.
Designed to support the region’s growing demand for technology and low-carbon skills, the Centre incorporates electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure to reflect the continued transition away from fossil fuel-powered transport. Through apprenticeships, T-level placements, work experience opportunities and industry-led masterclasses, the facility will help equip students with the skills needed to succeed within the rapidly evolving automotive sector.
Reflecting its focus on innovation and sustainable transport technologies, the Future Technology Centre was designed with sustainability at its core. The building incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, has achieved an EPC A rating and is the only building in Yorkshire to attain a Platinum certification for outstanding carbon savings.
CPW's relationship with Bradford College extends well beyond this project. As a long-term partner of the College, we have previously supported the delivery of projects including the David Hockney Building, Advanced Technology Centre and Garden Mills development, while also providing T Level placements and work experience opportunities for students. This ongoing collaboration reflects our shared commitment to developing future engineering talent and creating meaningful pathways from education into the built environment and wider engineering professions.
The centre will play a pivotal role in automotive and engineering education across West Yorkshire, helping to develop the next generation of skilled professionals and supporting the region's transition towards a more sustainable future.
“This project provided a rare opportunity to integrate highly specialist building services with the latest automotive technologies within a dedicated educational setting. The result is a facility that offers students a genuine real-world learning experience, reflecting the environments and technologies they will encounter throughout their careers. We are proud to have contributed to a project that will help equip the next generation of engineers and technicians with the skills needed for the future of the industry.”
- Kevin Ballantyne, Director at CPW
Images courtesy of Morgan Sindall.
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