Best HE Provider Supporting Careers in Construction — Why They Stood Out
Building the Future Awards
The Best Higher Education (HE) Provider Supporting Careers in Construction category recognises universities and institutions shaping the future of the built environment through world-class teaching, innovation, and industry collaboration. This year’s finalists — Leeds College of Building University Centre, University of Wolverhampton School of Architecture and Built Environment, and Southampton Solent University — demonstrate outstanding commitment to developing the next generation of leaders, engineers, and innovators in construction.
Leeds College of Building University Centre (LCB UC)
A specialist hub of higher education powering the construction workforce of tomorrow
Established in 1960, Leeds College of Building (LCB) is the UK’s only specialist General Further Education College dedicated entirely to construction and the built environment. Over the past 16 years, its University Centre (UC) has become a national leader in higher and degree-level training, offering seamless pathways from Level 3 to Level 6 across Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, and Building Services Engineering.
Leading through quality and inclusivity
LCB UC has built its reputation on excellence — earning a Silver rating in the OfS Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and exceeding benchmarks for student experience and outcomes. The college serves over 1,000 HE students, with 80% in apprenticeships and a strong focus on widening participation. Representation among female (206), BAME (181), and disabled (238) students reflects a proactive inclusion strategy supported by dedicated EDI, Sustainability, and Digital & AI committees.
Closing the skills gap through industry alignment
Working with over 40 major employers including BAM, JN Bentley, NG Bailey, and Wates, LCB’s Degree Apprenticeships have grown from 9 learners in 2022 to 187 in 2024, with a projected 245 by 2025. Employer advisory boards ensure course content evolves with market demand, while bespoke partnerships deliver tailored block-release models and realworld learning. Students benefit from immersive classrooms, AI-integrated modules, and practical access to industry-standard tools — from drones and Revit to Trimble and Navisworks.
Preparing students for the future
LCB UC’s commitment to sustainability is unmatched, with a goal to embed environmental literacy across 100% of its curriculum by 2026. Students gain real-world experience through employer-led projects, international field trips, and collaborative research on green construction. Partnerships with Leeds Beckett University and London South Bank University ensure rigorous academic validation and professional credibility.
Why they stood out
Leeds College of Building University Centre exemplifies how specialist institutions can transform construction education. Its combination of teaching excellence, diversity, sustainability, and digital innovation makes it a powerhouse for higher-level construction training — and a vital bridge between education and industry.
University of Wolverhampton — School of Architecture and Built Environment
Europe’s largest built environment campus, transforming opportunity into employability
The University of Wolverhampton has placed employability and accessibility at the core of its mission as the “University of Opportunity and Employability.” Through its £140 million Springfield Campus, the university has created Europe’s largest dedicated construction and built environment facility, bringing together architecture, engineering, and sustainability in one transformative hub.
Inspiring the next generation
The School of Architecture and Built Environment (SoABE) runs a full calendar of outreach and development initiatives, including school engagement days, masterclasses, science festivals, and AI innovation workshops. “Teachers’ Influencer Days” — a standout initiative — connect hundreds of educators with the construction sector, helping them guide students toward built environment careers. The campus regularly hosts design competitions, “Meet the Employer” events, and “speed networking” career sessions to directly connect students with industry.
Addressing the skills gap with hands-on learning
Springfield Campus is home to the National Brownfield Institute, offering world-class learning facilities for regeneration and sustainability. The university integrates AI, robotics, and virtual reality into its curriculum, using cutting-edge tools such as Boston Dynamics’ robotic dog ‘Spot’ to demonstrate the role of automation in construction. These innovations attract underrepresented groups, with Wolverhampton leading the UK in female participation within construction-related HE programmes.
Partnerships and global collaboration
With over 150 formal partnerships — from Turner & Townsend, Balfour Beatty, Atkins, Savills, and Network Rail, to 31 international collaborations — the university provides students with unparalleled networking opportunities. Courses are accredited by all major professional bodies, including RICS, CIOB, CABE, ICE, CIAT, and RIBA. Industry partners also present awards and sponsor projects, celebrating excellence among students.
Why they stood out
The University of Wolverhampton’s dedication to transforming lives through access, opportunity, and innovation makes it a standout leader. Its state-of-the-art campus, visionary use of technology, and global partnerships embody what the future of construction higher education should be: inclusive, forward-looking, and industry-driven.
Southampton Solent University
Practice-led excellence with a focus on employability, innovation, and inclusion
With a legacy tracing back to the 19th century, Southampton Solent University has evolved into a practice-led, triple Gold TEF institution committed to vocational excellence and social mobility. As lead university for the South Coast Institute of Technology, it has invested £7 million in new laboratories and facilities to strengthen regional construction training.
Supporting the next generation
Solent collaborates with local schools and FE providers to inspire young learners and showcase opportunities in construction. Its CIOB Student Challenge and partnerships with the Women in Property Awards highlight a commitment to diversity and talent development. Through the Institute of Technology, Solent delivers Higher Technical Qualifications, apprenticeships, and degrees that align perfectly with modern workforce needs.
Addressing the skills gap
The university’s Construction Skills Shortage Conference brought together leading employers and policymakers to tackle barriers to entry in construction. Apprenticeships at Levels 4 and 6 provide routes into management and technical roles, while a flexible, studentfirst admissions approach ensures opportunity for career changers and lifelong learners. Solent’s curriculum is built with employer input, ensuring graduates are ready to contribute from day one.
Preparing students for successful careers
Teaching is concentrated into two days per week, allowing students to balance work and study. Partnerships with Kier, Galliford Try, and Southampton City Council provide live briefs, site visits, and work placements. Students engage in hands-on learning — from estimating and tendering simulations to project management exercises — and are regularly assessed against real-world deliverables.
Why they stood out
Southampton Solent University exemplifies a university rooted in real-world employability. Its practice-led teaching, employer partnerships, and student-first ethos create a learning environment where academic excellence meets professional readiness. The university’s consistent graduate employment rates and Triple Gold TEF recognition cement its status as one of the UK’s premier training grounds for construction professionals.
Final word
Together, these universities are redefining what higher education in construction looks like — combining academic excellence with digital innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. From Leeds College of Building’s apprenticeship revolution to Wolverhampton’s worldleading Springfield Campus and Solent’s practice-led excellence, they are shaping a future where higher education truly builds the world ahead.