Anna Dixon MP champions Bradford’s young construction talent in Parliament following Airedale Hospital visit
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Shipley MP Anna Dixon has today highlighted the achievements of Bradford’s young people and the importance of vocational education in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Her question to Sir Keir Starmer, in which she called on the PM to ensure young people are given opportunities to progress careers in key industries like construction, comes after a visit last week to Airedale General Hospital, where she met T Level student Lleyton Hirst, who is contributing to the major programme of structural repairs on the RAAC‑affected hospital estate.
During the visit, Ms Dixon saw first-hand the scale of the remediation work and the vital role young people are playing in delivering it. The project has already provided 765 apprenticeship weeks for 39 apprentices, and has supported a T Level student into a degree apprenticeship with Robertson.
Speaking in the Commons today, Anna Dixon MP said:
“Last week I met Lleyton, a T Level construction student at Bradford College. He was working on the remediation of RAAC at Airedale Hospital.
In the last few years, Bradford has been making tremendous progress in reducing both the rate of young people not in employment, education or training.
So will the Prime Minister reconfirm his commitment to vocational and skills education and set out how this Labour government is ensuring that young people like Lleyton have career opportunities in construction and other critical industries?”
The Prime Minister responded by praising Lleyton’s success and reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding high‑quality technical education:
“Lleyton’s success is a testament to what young people can achieve with the right support.
We’re creating technical excellence colleges and delivering training places for 60,000 skilled construction workers, and Labour’s creating opportunities for every young person, while building the homes, the schools, and the hospitals that our country needs.
"And that is what I am fighting for.”
Anna Dixon said the exchange reflects the importance the Prime Minister places on giving people opportunities to value and expand skills, apprenticeships, and technical education.
“Meeting Lleyton at Airedale last week was inspiring,” she said. “He and so many other young people in Bradford are proving exactly why investment in education and skills matters. T Levels and apprenticeships give students practical experience in the workplace, boost confidence, and create pathways into good careers.
“I will continue to champion the opportunities our young people deserve—and ensure that Bradford benefits fully from the government’s investment in construction, engineering, and other critical industries.”
The visit to Airedale coincided with National Apprenticeship Week 2026, which celebrates the impact of apprenticeships and T Levels across the country.
