Bath College Students Lay the Foundations for Careers in Construction

Last week (15th September), construction students from Bath College were given the chance to explore the transformation of one of the city’s best-known industrial landmarks during a visit to City & Country’s Bath Press site.

During the session, City & Country’s team introduced the students to the history and vision behind the development, located on Lower Bristol Road, before leading them on a tour of the active construction site. Throughout the day, students also heard about the varied routes into construction, from traditional trades and site management to design and project delivery, alongside the detail involved in bringing a complex heritage development to life.

The visit formed part of Bath College’s Construction Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), a short course designed to help students develop industry knowledge and the qualifications needed to pursue employment in construction.

For generations, Bath Press played an important part in the city’s working life as a major printing works. Its imposing façade and prominent chimney became familiar features of the local landscape, reflecting a lesser-known chapter of Bath’s history beyond the Georgian architecture for which the city is internationally renowned.

Ebner Heatley, Employer Engagement Manager at Bath College, said: “Visits like these are vital to bringing learning to life. Giving students the chance to step beyond the classroom and speak directly to people with industry experience can be incredibly inspiring for those looking to pursue a similar career.

“Bath Press was a particularly fascinating project for the group to explore because it combines modern construction with the regeneration of a site that holds such an important place in the city’s history. We are grateful to the City & Country site team for sharing their time and expertise with our students.”

Michael Burt, Sales Director at City & Country, said: “Construction is an industry built on practical experience, so it was a pleasure to welcome the Bath College students and give them a closer look at what happens on a live site. It is vital that we support the next generation of young people entering the construction industry, particularly at a time when there is such a significant skills shortage. Anything we can do to encourage young people to get involved is incredibly valuable to both us and the wider industry.

“A project of this scale brings together an enormous range of skills and specialisms. It’s important for students to gain an insight into what paths are open to them and allow for a clearer sense of where their own interests could take them.”

Originally established as Sir Isaac Pitman’s Fifth Phonetic Institute in 1889, the former printing works grew to become one of Bath’s most significant industrial employers before closing in 2008.

City & Country is now giving the site a new chapter, transforming it into a collection of contemporary apartments and townhouses while preserving defining elements of its history, including the original 19th-century façade and landmark printing press chimney.

Bath Press comprises one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside a limited collection of four-bedroom townhouses, set among landscaped communal gardens, courtyards and rooftop space. Selected properties also include dedicated parking, all within walking distance of Bath city centre and Bath Spa railway station.

Situated in Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage setting, Bath Press represents one of the city’s most significant regeneration projects, preserving an important chapter of Bath’s industrial heritage while creating a vibrant new residential community for the future.

Prices currently start from £350,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. To find out more, or make an enquiry, visit www.cityandcountry.co.uk.