Construction as an industry is always at the forefront of innovation, as facilities build the foundation for other industries to thrive. We aim to reflect that belief by always being ahead of industry needs and teaching advancement. The amazing success of our bricklaying courses collaborating with World Skills UK in recent years perfectly encapsulates that.
The World Skills UK Educator programme 2023-2024 delivered world skills training to five Sunderland College staff. Jimmy Stobbart, Lecturer and Programme Leader for Bricklaying, attended six Professional Practice dedicated training sessions which led to some amazing results for our bricklaying students.
After 28 years working at Sunderland College and completing a number of Professional Practice activities, this opportunity was one that completely changed the way Jimmy delivered his lessons in both practical and theory settings, to a more holistic approach.
Jimmy explained one simple but incredibly effective approach he took: “One of the strategies I wanted to explore was to support my bricklayers to all work at a consistent pace as one another. My solution was to put the fastest bricklayers on the ends of the wall so everyone in the middle would have to keep up with the pace or the job would grind to a halt and this worked perfectly.”
“The reason I did this was due to the time constraints during the practical end examination, if it’s not completed, it’s an automatic fail.”
Within his first cohort of students, nine out of 11 learners achieved a distinction in the two-day practical test with two passes.
His second cohort of apprentices consisted of 19 apprentices and of these, ten gained a distinction and nine gained a pass in the practical element with again 100% pass mark in both the theory examination and professional discussion.
Our crowning achievement from this training was demonstrated at the national Guild of Bricklayer’s competition, where our Junior competitor Cieran Clasper was crowned National Junior champion, and John Scott was judged as Runner Up in the Senior competition
Jimmy added: “Sunderland College was the only college in England and Wales to have a competitor in both the Junior and Senior National Finals.”
Cieran after his exciting win, said: “I just can’t believe it, I can’t put it into words. I started full time at the college, tried bricklaying out, and I loved it.”
Seeing students’ passion about their course and their pride from winning was also incredibly inspiring. It shows that being at the forefront of innovation truly does pay off.
The Department for Education Just One More Thing event focused on unlocking opportunities through leadership and society facing solutions.
May 13, 2025
Sunderland College student Cieron Clasper has been crowned Guild of Bricklayers senior champion for the Northern Region.
May 6, 2025
Work has started on a world-class training centre in Sheepfolds.
December 4, 2023
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
