THEY are building one of Huddersfield’s landmarks.

Brickwork students from Kirklees College are getting some hands-on experience by helping build their new £73m college.

Four teenagers who are full-time students on the level one National Diploma in brickwork course are spending the week constructing a boundary wall which forms part of the site which is starting to take shape off Chapel Hill.

And they are hoping that the practical experience will form part of their CVs which may lead to full-time apprenticeships next year in the building industry.

Brickwork lecturer Jason Chapman said getting the lads out of the classroom and into a working environment was crucial to their learning and development.

He said: “This sort of project gives them the chance to put everything into practice that they have learned in college.

“It opens their eyes to the real working world and puts them on an equal footing with everyone else when they are applying for jobs or apprenticeships.

“This sort of project brings their studies to life, which is vital.”

Next week the group will be broadening their experience by taking part in a dry stone walling project.

Former King James’ student Ben Thomas, of Lepton, is hoping the skills he has learned will help with a maintenance job with Kirklees Council.

The 16-year-old said: “It’s nice to get out of college and do some practical hands-on work.”

Jack Holmes, 17, of Scholes, Holmfirth – a former pupil of Holmfirth High School – was thoroughly enjoying the experience.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “You never know what’s round the next corner and what working on a project like this will bring in the future.”

Seventeen-year-old Jamie Shaw, of Lepton – also a former King James’ pupil – is also hoping to gain apprenticeship.

Jamie has already been putting the skills he learned in college to good use by building a garden wall for his uncle.

Former Colne Valley High School pupil Niall Warner, 17, of Golcar, had also enjoyed the week, but was looking forward to getting back into the classroom.

Stone for the project was supplied by contractors Cora and site manager Peter Summers said the company was delighted to be involved in a project such as this, which was helping to create young builders of the future.

College project manager Ray Sheller said work remained three weeks ahead of schedule.

The college will leave its current base at New North Road when the new campus opens in September 2012.

Work began on the ambitiousproject last April and the building is due to be handed over in July next year.

The development is the key part of the huge Waterfront site project, set to breathe new life into the area off Chapel Hill.

Sellers Engineers, which has occupied the bulk of the site for many decades, will move to a new factory off Leeds Road, Deighton.