Leeds College of Building and Leeds Rhinos Foundation Form New Partnership

Sport and Education Join Forces to Support Leeds Communities

Leeds College of Building (LCB) and Leeds Rhinos Foundation have announced a new partnership aimed at creating opportunities and strengthening communities across Leeds through the combined power of sport, education, and business. The collaboration was officially launched at LCB’s South Bank Campus with a panel discussion titled Beyond the Build: How Sport, Business and Social Value Can Transform Communities.

Panel Discussion Highlights

The event was hosted by Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, CEO of Leeds Rhinos, and featured contributions from Dr Tim Crabb of Substance, Jessica Herman from Caddick, and Katie White OBE MP. The discussion focused on how sport and business can work together to deliver social value and create lasting benefits for local communities.

Focus on Youth Opportunities and Skills Development

Central to the partnership is a commitment to connect young people with pathways into education, training, and employment, particularly in the construction sector. Dan Busfield, Head of Partnerships and Development at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, emphasised the role of sport in supporting young people by fostering resilience, routine, and determination.

• Sport acts as a unifying force, bringing together people from different backgrounds.
• It helps develop transferable skills that benefit young people beyond sport.
• The partnership aims to link sport, business, employers, and opportunities to support youth development.

Leeds Rhinos Foundation works with community clubs and grassroots organisations to engage young people and build confidence. Through this partnership, LCB will provide specialist training and promote career routes in construction, targeting individuals who may not have previously considered this sector.

Statements from Key Figures

Nikki Davis, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building, stated the partnership’s goal to reach communities that have not traditionally accessed construction skills and to provide opportunities for highly skilled careers within Leeds.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE expressed his support for the collaboration, highlighting the importance of organisations working together to unlock young people’s potential. He noted the barriers that can prevent young people from realising their opportunities and the need for stronger connections between organisations to create clearer pathways to success.

Jones-Buchanan also shared a personal perspective, mentioning the positive impact LCB has had on his own son and his pride in the college’s role in creating opportunities for young people in Leeds.

Social Value and Community Engagement

The launch event also addressed the growing importance of social value in construction and business sectors. It highlighted how employers and developers can contribute to local communities through skills development, employment opportunities, and active community engagement.

Looking Ahead

This partnership represents a significant step towards combining Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s community reach with LCB’s expertise in construction education and training. The collaboration aims to help more young people in Leeds gain the skills, experience, and opportunities needed to succeed in their careers and contribute positively to their communities.

For further details and coverage of the launch event, videos are available on the Leeds Rhinos YouTube channel.