Dulux Academy Extends Leeds College of Building Partnership

Leeds College of Building has opened a state-of-the-art training space and partnered with Dulux Academy as both continue to show their support of decorating professionals in Yorkshire.

Leeds College of Building is the only college in the UK dedicated solely to construction and the built environment and has been working with the Dulux Academy since 2016.

The new facility comes as the college has relocated its painting and decorating department to its North Street campus as part of a major redevelopment plan. As well as the college students having the benefit of the state-of-the-art area, now decorators attending Dulux Academy training courses also get to use the fantastic facilities.

Training spaces across the site are being extended to accommodate the ambitious growth plans with other partners including Bell Group, one of the largest painting, decorating and building maintenance contractors in the UK.The new Painting & Decorating department includes over 30 painting and spraying bays and 20 wallpapering bays (all 3m x 2m), designed specifically for new teaching standards and is thought to be one of the biggest Painting & Decorating training facilities in the country.

Leeds College of Building Principal, Derek Whitehead, said: 
“We work with some amazing industry partners already, including the Dulux Academy and so this new space can only enhance those relationships, the training we deliver and ensure that local decorators and our students are work ready.”

The Dulux Academy supported the project by donating Dulux Trade products for the college students to decorate the space as part of their training.The Dulux Academy courses are designed to support decorators at every stage of their career. Dulux Academy training courses will be held regularly at the college, the next being an Introduction to Spray Painting course in July. In addition to delivering training courses for decorators, the Dulux Academy also provide support and special events for students of the college and professional development opportunities for the tutors.

Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy Lead, commented: 
“The Dulux Academy was founded to help professional decorators up skill, especially in areas where emerging trends require professionals to stay ahead of the curve. Our partnership with colleges ensures that our courses are accessible to those who wish to develop across the UK. We have a strong relationship with Leeds College of Building and are delighted to be a part of the opening of this new facility.”

Mark Rigby, Skills Development Consultant and lead trainer for Dulux Academy courses at Leeds College of Building, said: 
“Our continued relationship with Leeds College of Building ensures that our course delegates have access to and experience of the very best equipment that is available. As the industry develops so do our courses.”