LECTURERS from around Yorkshire donned their hard hats and went back to the classroom last week.

Kirklees College became the first in the country to host national masonry training classes for lecturers.

The college’s specialist construction centre at Brunel House was chosen as the venue for the inaugural classes, which were attended by lecturers from all over Yorkshire.

The aim of the classes is to ensure that bricklaying teachers in the UK are up-to-date with latest developments from across the world.

Brickwork trainers received hands-on experience of the three main areas of thin joint masonry systems: clay, calcium silicate and aircrete.

They also met the system manufacturers.

The training programme has been developed by the Modern Masonry Alliance (MMA) and Brick Development Association (BDA) with support from CITB – Construction Skills.

A further six courses will be held across England and Wales.