Civil engineering degree apprentices join Leeds College of Building's own graduation for first time

More than 30 degree apprentices from Leeds College of Building (LCB) have graduated at a ceremony at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, the first time the college's civil engineering site management apprentices have collected certificates at its own event.

The college said the ceremony was the second that LCBU, its University Centre, has staged in Leeds city centre. Last year's graduates were all from the BSc (Hons) Commercial Management course run in partnership with London South Bank University.

This year, according to the college, those Commercial Management graduates were joined by graduates from the BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering Site Management course, which is delivered with Leeds Beckett University.

Richard Leese, Higher Education Curriculum Manager, said: "We all know how much qualifications matter in our industry – for us to record so many first and second-class honours is simply outstanding."

The ceremony

LCB Assistant Principal Chris Tunningley opened the event with a speech before the graduates were presented with their certificates, the college said. A drinks reception followed.

Among the graduates was Cal Corbett, who completed the Civil Engineering Site Management course with a first-class honours degree after serving his apprenticeship at EKFB and BAM. He thanked LCBU staff for their support during his studies.

Nikki Carthy, Construction Management Curriculum Manager, said: "Degree apprenticeships are not easy – our students have had to juggle working long hours, studying, and often homelife responsibilities."

The college thanked London South Bank University and Leeds Beckett University for their continued collaboration on its degree apprenticeship programmes.

Background

The college's first in-house graduation was held at the Carriageworks Theatre in Millennium Square, Leeds, where more than 30 quantity surveyor degree apprentices received certificates. Before that, the first cohort to complete the Commercial Management programme had graduated at London South Bank University.

According to the college, the quantity surveying degree apprenticeship leads to a BSc (Hons) in Commercial Management and is delivered as a franchise partnership with London South Bank University. It takes three years, is offered on day release and block release, and requires an appropriate Level 4 HNC, HTQ or apprenticeship for entry. The college says the course carries full Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) accreditation and gives graduates the opportunity to apply for CIOB professional membership.

The Civil Engineering Site Management degree apprenticeship is accredited by Leeds Beckett University and sits within the college's partnership with BAM, which began in 2017 with a first cohort of 40 apprentices on block-release programmes. That partnership was Highly Commended in the Best Partnership in Training category at the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards, the college said. The college's post on its first in-house graduation also named JN Bentley as a long-term employer partner.

Growth in degree apprenticeships

LCB said that by September 2025 it had more than 230 degree apprentices enrolled, a growth rate of 195% over three years.

The college describes itself as the UK's only specialist further education college focused solely on construction and the built environment, and says it attracts apprentices from as far afield as Cornwall and Newcastle. LCBU is based at its South Bank campus, and work has started on an extension to its North Street campus.