BAM targets BREEAM Excellent in £10m Bradford Advanced Technology Centre

BAM is to build a £10 million Advanced Technologies Centre for Bradford College, creating a three-storey building across the road from the campus it is currently building for the college in the centre of the Yorkshire city.

The 3,650 sqm Advanced Technologies Centre will have capacity for 650 students aged 16 and over. It will allow them to gain skills in manufacturing disciplines including electrical engineering and sustainable technology. About one in four people in Bradford works in advanced technologies.

BAM is aiming for an Excellent rating through sustainability scheme BREEAM, with features to include solar panels, a bio-diverse roof and super-efficient plant. The company will engage with students at the college during the construction project to ensure it maximises the benefits of the scheme to the community.

It has also pledged to use as many local suppliers and sub-contractors as possible during the one-year project.

BAM is also currently working on a six-storey campus for Bradford College on Great Horton Road as part of the college's development strategy. The new contract follows other recent successes for BAM in the Yorkshire region.

The company recently secured the new York offices for global insurer Hiscox, and the construction of the new Airedale factory, plus new facilities for Barnsley College. Together with the priority schools in Hull and East Rising, BAM’s recent wins in the region are valued at around £150 million.

Currently 80 percent of BAM's supply chain spend for the scheme has gone to companies within 50 miles of the site. It expects to use some of the sub-contractors on the new project.

BAM Construction Manager Jason Pink said: ‘We are delighted to be working on another part of Bradford College's ambitious and progressive development plans. Having built a good working relationship with the college and our suppliers on the new campus project, we look forward to taking this momentum into the latest scheme. BAM will work hard and use all our skills to ensure the advanced technology centre benefits students, lecturers and the wider community for many years to come.’

Work is due to start on the advanced technologies centre later this summer, with completion in May 2015.