Luminate Education Group Campuses

The Aire Valley Campus, operated by Leeds City College as part of Luminate Education Group, serves the Keighley and Craven areas with diverse vocational programs. This community-focused site offers accessible education in a range of practical disciplines, supporting local economic needs in a semi-rural setting.

• Health and Social Care: Entry-level to advanced diplomas in care support, dementia awareness, and therapy assistance, with clinical placements.
• Business and Retail: Courses in customer service, e-commerce, and small business management, tailored to local enterprises.
• Catering and Hospitality: Food preparation, patisserie, and event catering, utilizing commercial kitchens for professional standards.
• Computing and IT: Basics in software, cybersecurity, and web development, addressing digital inclusion.
• Access to Higher Education: Preparatory courses for university entry in sciences, humanities, and nursing.

Emphasis is on flexible learning, including part-time and evening options for working adults. The campus features adapted facilities for learners with disabilities. Partnerships with local NHS and businesses provide placements, enhancing employability. ESOL and family learning programs support integration. Sustainability themes run through courses, like eco-catering and green business practices. Enrolling around 500 students yearly, it boasts supportive tutor-student ratios. Modern classrooms and IT suites facilitate blended learning. Extracurriculars include community volunteering and skills festivals. The campus's location near Bradford and Leeds allows wider opportunities. Luminate's network enables shared resources, like online libraries. High progression to apprenticeships or jobs in care and hospitality. Tutors offer personalized guidance, focusing on confidence-building. Short courses in first aid and digital skills meet community demands. Outreach to schools promotes early career awareness. Career services include mock interviews and funding advice. The curriculum adapts to regional needs, such as tourism in the Yorkshire Dales. Graduates contribute to local services, from care homes to shops. Inclusive policies ensure equity, with free childcare for some programs. Digital innovation, like virtual care simulations, enriches training. In summary, Aire Valley Campus empowers residents with skills for personal and professional growth, strengthening community resilience.

Wellbeing hubs and peer mentoring foster a nurturing environment. Seasonal courses, like holiday catering, add variety.

As a key component of Luminate Education Group, the Leeds College of Building Campus delivers specialized vocational training in construction trades. Centrally located in Leeds, it features purpose-built workshops mimicking real construction environments, emphasizing practical expertise for the built environment sector.

• Carpentry and Joinery: Comprehensive courses in site carpentry, bench joinery, and cabinet making, using traditional and modern tools.
• Bricklaying and Plastering: Training in masonry, rendering, and decorative plasterwork, with emphasis on precision and durability.
• Electrical Installation: Wiring regulations, fault-finding, and renewable energy systems, leading to industry certifications.
• Plumbing and Heating: Gas safety, pipefitting, and boiler installation, incorporating smart home technologies.
• Site Management and Supervision: Leadership skills, health and safety, and project planning for aspiring foremen.

The curriculum aligns with CITB standards, ensuring qualifications are recognized nationwide. Hands-on learning dominates, with students constructing walls, frames, and installations under supervision. Apprenticeships form a core offering, blending college time with workplace experience at local builders. Diversity programs encourage entry for underrepresented groups, including taster sessions. Sustainability is prioritized, teaching low-carbon construction and material recycling. The campus supports over 900 learners annually, with high success rates in end-point assessments. Instructors, qualified tradespeople, share decades of site experience. Facilities include eco-build demos and digital modeling labs for BIM (Building Information Modeling). Partnerships with developers provide work placements and guest lectures. Short courses cater to upskilling professionals, like NVQ top-ups. Health and wellbeing support includes fitness for manual trades. The central position aids access to city projects for contextual learning. Luminate's integration enhances resource sharing, boosting program quality. Graduates often secure roles with major contractors, contributing to Leeds' infrastructure boom. Additional pathways include painting and decorating, and roofing. Community projects, such as habitat builds, apply skills locally. Career guidance focuses on progression to degree apprenticeships or self-employment. In total, this campus is instrumental in addressing the construction skills gap, producing competent, safe practitioners ready for the industry's demands.

Modern apprenticeships incorporate digital twins and drone surveying, future-proofing training. Inclusive practices ensure all can thrive in this hands-on field.

The Matthew Murray Campus, part of Leeds City College within Luminate Education Group, is renowned for its focus on engineering, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Located in west Leeds, this specialist site features extensive workshops and labs, providing hands-on training for technical careers.

• Engineering: Programs in mechanical, electrical, and fabrication engineering, covering CAD design, welding, and CNC machining.
• Motor Vehicle Technology: Qualifications in vehicle maintenance, diagnostics, electric vehicles, and body repair, using real diagnostic tools.
• Construction and Building Services: Courses on bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installation, and site management, with simulated construction sites.
• Aeronautical Engineering: Training in aircraft maintenance, avionics, and composites, partnering with aerospace firms.
• Manufacturing and Product Design: Skills in prototyping, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles.

Students engage in live projects, such as building prototypes or restoring vehicles, fostering problem-solving and teamwork. The campus boasts industry-accredited facilities, including engine bays and fabrication shops equipped to current standards. Apprenticeships are prominent, with direct employer links for on-site training. Health and safety modules are integral, ensuring compliance with regulations. Women in engineering initiatives promote diversity, offering targeted support. Sustainability courses address green building and energy-efficient technologies. With around 1,200 students, the campus achieves strong employment outcomes, many progressing to higher apprenticeships or degrees. Expert instructors, often qualified engineers, provide mentorship. Extracurricular robotics clubs and competitions enhance skills. The site's proximity to industrial areas facilitates placements at companies like Siemens. Additional programs include access courses for mature learners entering STEM fields. Digital integration, such as VR for hazard training, modernizes learning. Luminate's ethos of excellence shines here, preparing graduates for Yorkshire's manufacturing heartland. Career services include CV workshops and job fairs with local firms. The campus also offers foundation engineering for school leavers. In essence, Matthew Murray equips individuals with the technical prowess needed for high-demand roles in engineering and construction, driving regional economic growth.

Community outreach, like school STEM days, inspires future talent. Robust pastoral support aids transitions into technical education.

The Park Lane Campus of Leeds City College, part of Luminate Education Group, is a vibrant hub for vocational and academic education in central Leeds. This campus specializes in a wide array of courses designed to equip students with practical skills for various industries. Key programs include health and social care, where learners explore caregiving techniques, mental health support, and community services through hands-on simulations and placements.

• Business and Administration: Courses cover entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, and office management, with real-world projects simulating business environments.
• Hair and Beauty: Training in salon skills, makeup artistry, barbering, and spa therapies, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for professional practice.
• Childcare and Early Years: Focus on child development, safeguarding, and educational play, preparing students for roles in nurseries and schools.
• Public Services: Programs in policing, fire and rescue, and security, emphasizing teamwork, fitness, and emergency response training.
• Travel and Tourism: Modules on customer service, event planning, and global destinations, with industry partnerships for work experience.

Additionally, the campus offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and basic skills courses to support diverse learners. Art and design pathways introduce digital media, graphic design, and fashion, fostering creativity. Sport and fitness qualifications include coaching and personal training certifications. With small class sizes and expert tutors, students benefit from personalized learning. The campus integrates modern technology, such as virtual reality for healthcare simulations and industry-standard software for business studies. Extracurricular activities, including clubs and guest lectures from professionals, enhance employability. Overall, Park Lane Campus prepares over 1,000 students annually for apprenticeships, further study, or direct employment, contributing to Leeds' dynamic workforce. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates are job-ready and adaptable in evolving sectors like healthcare and hospitality.

Support services, including career guidance and mental health resources, are integral, promoting holistic development. Collaborative projects with local businesses provide networking opportunities, while sustainability initiatives teach eco-friendly practices across courses. The campus's central location facilitates easy access to city resources, enriching the learning experience. In summary, Park Lane stands as a cornerstone of Luminate's commitment to accessible, high-quality further education.

Situated in the heart of Leeds, the Printworks Campus, under Leeds City College and Luminate Education Group, excels in creative and digital industries education. This modern facility, formerly a printing works, now hosts cutting-edge programs in media, arts, and technology, inspiring innovation among students.

• Graphic Design and Digital Media: Courses teach Adobe Suite proficiency, web design, animation, and branding, with portfolio-building projects.
• Fashion and Textiles: Training in pattern cutting, sewing, sustainable design, and garment construction using professional machinery.
• Performing Arts and Music: Acting, dance, musical theatre, and sound engineering, featuring rehearsal spaces and performance opportunities.
• Photography and Film: Skills in studio lighting, videography, editing software, and documentary production, with access to darkrooms and edit suites.
• Journalism and Media Production: Modules on news writing, broadcasting, podcasting, and social media strategies, simulating real newsrooms.

The campus emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to combine skills, such as digital art with film production. Industry-standard equipment, including green screens and 3D printers, supports practical application. Guest workshops from BBC and local agencies provide insights into career paths. Foundation degrees and higher-level apprenticeships bridge to university or employment. Creative enterprises are encouraged through student-led exhibitions and festivals. Support for underrepresented groups includes scholarships and inclusive design courses. The campus's location near cultural venues like Leeds Grand Theatre enhances field trips and collaborations. Sustainability is woven into curricula, teaching eco-materials in fashion and digital ethics in media. With over 800 enrollments yearly, Printworks fosters a community of creators, boasting high progression rates to creative sectors. Tutors, many with industry experience, mentor students on portfolios and freelancing. Additional offerings include short courses in illustration and game design. Overall, this campus is pivotal in nurturing Leeds' creative economy, producing skilled professionals for advertising, entertainment, and digital innovation.

Wellness programs and career fairs complement academic pursuits, ensuring balanced development. The historic building's transformation symbolizes adaptation, mirroring the flexible skills taught.