Discover 20+ West Yorkshire training providers including Leeds City College, Bradford College, Kirklees College, Calderdale College, and Wakefield College. Find apprenticeships, digital skills, tech training, and adult education across the five West Yorkshire local authorities.
West Yorkshire training providers play a central role in delivering skills across Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield, backed by the £63M WYCA Adult Education Budget (AEB) in 2026.
This 2026 directory profiles leading West Yorkshire training providers and the £63M WYCA Adult Education Budget, giving organisations external visibility while showing how Yotru standardises CVs, evidences outcomes, and protects WYCA and ESFA funding across AEB and apprenticeship cohorts.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority controls an estimated £63 million in devolved adult skills funding (Adult Education Budget), making strategic investment decisions aligned with the region's economic priorities.
According to WYCA, funding priorities for 2025-26 focus on:
Mayor Tracy Brabin has emphasised creative industries as a strategic priority alongside traditional manufacturing strengths, leveraging Channel 4's relocation to Leeds and the city's growing tech ecosystem.
Campuses: 9 locations including Quarry Hill, Printworks, Park Lane, Keighley, Horsforth
Main Campus: Quarry Hill Campus, Playhouse Square, Leeds LS2 7BL
Students: 20,000+ annually (one of UK's largest FE colleges)
Leadership: Nikki Davis, Principal and Chief Executive
What they offer:
Full-time and part-time courses, apprenticeships, A Levels, T Levels, university-level courses, adult education
Strengths:
Major AEB provider for Leeds City Region. Strong employer partnerships with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, First Direct, Sky Betting & Gaming, Channel 4.
Notable facilities:
Industry-standard facilities for construction, engineering, health sciences, creative industries, digital technology, hospitality
Digital provision:
Digital Skills Academy serving Leeds tech sector demand for software developers, data analysts, cyber security professionals
Contact: https://www.leedscitycollege.ac.uk
Campus: Great Horton Road, Bradford BD7 1AY
Students: 12,000+ annually
Leadership: Part of Luminate Education Group
What they offer:
Vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, A Levels, T Levels, adult education, university-level courses
Community focus:
Serves one of Yorkshire's most diverse communities with targeted provision for NEET young people and adults with barriers to employment
Strengths:
Engineering, construction, health and social care, business, creative industries
Employer partnerships:
Morrisons (Bradford HQ), NHS Bradford Teaching Hospitals, manufacturing sector
Contact: https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Campuses: Huddersfield Centre, Dewsbury Centre
Students: 10,000+ annually
What they offer:
Full-time and part-time courses, apprenticeships, adult education
Strengths:
Engineering and manufacturing (serving textile and engineering heritage), construction, health and care, business administration
Employer links:
Strong partnerships with Kirklees manufacturing sector, NHS, construction firms
Contact: https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk
Campus: Francis Street, Halifax HX1 3UZ
Students: 8,000+ annually
What they offer:
Vocational education, apprenticeships, A Levels, adult learning
Strengths:
Engineering, construction trades, health and social care, business
Community engagement:
Serves Halifax and Calderdale with strong links to local employers and regeneration projects
Contact: https://www.calderdale.ac.uk
Campus: Margaret Street, Wakefield WF1 2DH
Students: 9,000+ annually
What they offer:
Full range of vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, A Levels, adult education
Strengths:
Construction, engineering, health sciences, business administration, creative industries
Employer partnerships:
Links with Wakefield manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors
Contact: https://www.wakefield.ac.uk
Campus: North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT
Students: 3,000+ annually
Specialism: UK's only specialist further education construction college
What they offer:
Construction trades, building services engineering, quantity surveying, construction management, retrofit and sustainability skills
Reputation:
National Centre of Excellence for construction training
Employer partnerships:
Major construction firms, housebuilders, building services companies
Notable:
Delivers construction skills training across Yorkshire and nationally
Contact: https://www.lcb.ac.uk
Campus: Park Lane, Leeds LS3 1AA
Part of: Leeds City College Group
What they offer:
A Levels, vocational courses, university-level programmes
Focus:
Academic and technical pathways for 16-19 year olds
Contact: https://www.parklane.ac.uk
Location: Leeds (Corn Exchange)
Specialism: Software development and technology careers
What they offer:
Software engineering academy programmes, Graduate schemes, Internships, Apprenticeships in technology
Tech stack:
Modern web development, cloud computing, data engineering
Employer benefit:
Direct pathway into Sky Betting & Gaming technology roles
Contact: https://www.skybetcareers.com
Location: MediaCityUK and Leeds
Specialism: Broadcasting, production, creative industries
What they offer:
Production training schemes, Apprenticeships in broadcast and media, Mentorship programmes, Work experience and placements
Focus:
Increasing diversity in broadcasting sector
Industry access:
Direct routes into UK broadcasting industry
Contact: https://www.channel4.com/careers/apprentices-and-trainees
Network: Collective of Leeds tech employers offering training
What they include:
Software houses, digital agencies, fintech companies, tech startups
Opportunities:
Apprenticeships, bootcamp partnerships, graduate schemes, career switcher programmes
Annual event:
Leeds Digital Festival showcases opportunities and providers
Location: Whitehall Waterfront, Leeds LS1 4HR
What they offer:
Export and international trade training, Management and leadership development, Digital skills for business, Apprenticeship levy services
Accreditations:
British Chambers of Commerce approved programmes
Employer services:
Skills needs analysis, funded training navigation, business support programmes
Contact: https://www.leedschamber.co.uk
Coverage: Regional coverage including West Yorkshire
What they offer:
Business skills training, International trade, Export documentation, Management development
Contact: https://www.yh-chamber.co.uk
Campus: Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT
Programmes:
BSc Computer Science, MSc Advanced Computer Science (AI, Data Analytics, High-Performance Graphics), Conversion MSc programmes, Executive education
Industry partnerships:
First Direct, Sky Betting & Gaming, NHS Digital, manufacturing sector tech roles
Research strength:
AI, robotics, data science, cyber security
Contact: https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/computing
Campus: City Campus, Leeds LS1 3HE
Programmes:
BSc Computing, MSc Data Science, MSc Cyber Security, Computing degree apprenticeships
Professional focus:
Strong vocational emphasis, employer partnerships, work placements
Contact: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Campus: Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP
Programmes:
BSc Computer Science, MSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, MSc Cyber Security, Degree apprenticeships
Industry links:
Bradford manufacturing sector, healthcare technology, fintech
Contact: https://www.bradford.ac.uk
Campus: Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH
Programmes:
BSc Computer Science, MSc Data Science and Analytics, MSc Cyber Security, Engineering degrees
Strengths:
Strong SME partnerships across Kirklees, applied research collaborations
Contact: https://www.hud.ac.uk
Coverage: Construction Industry Training Board provision across region
What they offer:
CSCS training, health & safety courses, plant operations, NVQs in construction trades
Employer services:
Apprenticeship levy support, grant funding for SME training, Construction Skills Fund
Contact: https://www.citb.co.uk
National Centre of Excellence for construction training with specialist facilities and industry partnerships.
Locations: Multiple West Yorkshire sites
What they offer:
Apprenticeships in engineering, manufacturing, business administration, management and leadership
Scale:
Delivers for 100+ employers across Yorkshire
Sectors:
Manufacturing, engineering, professional services, public sector
Contact: https://www.baltictraining.co.uk
Location: Based in Kirklees, serving wider region
What they offer:
Business administration apprenticeships, customer service, management and leadership, digital apprenticeships
Community focus:
Supporting local SMEs with apprenticeship delivery
Contact: Through Kirklees Council and local provider networks
AEB Funding: £63 million annually (estimated)
What they do:
Commission and fund adult skills training, set regional skills priorities, monitor provider performance, coordinate Employment and Skills Framework
Priority sectors 2025-26:
Digital technology, health and social care, advanced manufacturing, creative industries
Leadership:
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Combined Authority Board
Contact: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/skills/
Purpose: Economic development and skills coordination
What they do:
Skills strategy development, employer engagement, growth hub services, local industrial strategy delivery
Note:
LEP functions being integrated into Combined Authority structures
Contact: https://www.the-lep.com
Investment: Major employer with apprenticeship and upskilling programmes
Opportunities:
Manufacturing apprenticeships, textiles skills, quality control, supply chain management
Partnership:
Works with Leeds City College and other providers for workforce development
Scale: Major retailer headquartered in Leeds
Programmes:
Retail apprenticeships, logistics and supply chain training, business administration, management development
Apprenticeship commitment:
Significant annual apprentice intake across retail, head office, and distribution operations
Specialism: Financial services and customer service training
Programmes:
Business administration apprenticeships, customer service, banking operations, digital skills
Career progression:
Clear pathways into financial services careers
Training Providers & Colleges
Use this directory to understand your position in West Yorkshire's training ecosystem, identify partnership opportunities, and share with prospective learners. Ensure programmes meet WYCA AEB compliance requirements.
Employers & HR Teams
Find accredited providers for workforce development, apprenticeship programmes, and skills bootcamps. WYCA can help match specific needs and access AEB-funded training.
Community Organizations & Libraries
Direct residents to appropriate training pathways. Most providers offer adult education, government-funded options, and flexible delivery.
Policymakers & Funders
Reference point for understanding West Yorkshire training infrastructure, provider specializations, and regional coordination.
Many government-funded courses require 19+ age, West Yorkshire residency, and 3 years UK residence. Always check eligibility before committing.
Yotru provides digital tools that help training providers deliver structured career support to learners in AEB-funded and skills programmes.
Our platform enables learners to build professional CVs, receive tailored feedback, and develop career action plans—while giving providers time-stamped documentation of career development activity.
Training providers in West Yorkshire can use Yotru to:
We help providers save time, improve consistency in career support, and create documentation that supports their compliance and funding obligations.
Request a two-week pilot to explore how similar workflows perform in your own context. Providers should ensure that any use of learner data during pilot activity is consistent with their internal data protection policies and legal obligations.
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
Team Yotru
Employability Systems & Applied Research
We build career tools informed by years working in workforce development, employability programs, and education technology. We work with training providers and workforce organizations to create practical tools for employment and retraining programs—combining labor market insights with real-world application to support effective career development. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Major providers include Leeds City College, Bradford College, Kirklees College, Calderdale College, Wakefield College, Leeds College of Building, University of Leeds, and specialist providers like Sky Betting & Gaming Academy and Channel 4 training
This content is written for UK training providers, colleges, workforce organisations, and employers involved in skills delivery, apprenticeships, and adult education. It is intended for programme leads, quality and compliance teams, employer engagement staff, and policymakers responsible for learner outcomes, funded provision, and employability support.
Yotru content is produced to support clarity, accuracy, and practical understanding of the UK skills and workforce landscape. Articles reference publicly available guidance and sector communications for context only. Content is informational and does not constitute legal, regulatory, funding, or compliance advice. Readers should consult official sources for current requirements.
Yotru provides employability and career development tools that may support training delivery and learner progression. Use of Yotru does not guarantee compliance with ESFA, devolved authority, Ofsted, or other regulatory requirements, nor does it guarantee funding outcomes, audit results, learner employment, or data accuracy. Training providers remain fully responsible for regulatory compliance, funding claims, evidence validation, and data protection obligations. Independent legal or compliance advice should be sought where appropriate.
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