By KLTV Newsdesk –

Hands-on partnership brings historic waterways and modern engineering together

A dozen students from Kirklees College are gaining real-world engineering experience through a unique hands-on project led by Jackson Civil Engineering.

Using 3D printing technology, the students are recreating a section of the Huddersfield Broad Canal — complete with a functioning lock mechanism.

Bringing Learning to Life on the Canal

Jackson Civil Engineering is currently working on improvements to the towpath of the Huddersfield Broad Canal on behalf of the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

The collaboration with Kirklees College forms part of Jackson’s wider commitment to leaving a positive legacy in local communities and encouraging young people to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers.

The initiative, known as CanalWorks 3D, began last month when a Jackson team visited the college to discuss career pathways in civil engineering and outline the scope of the towpath upgrade project.

Shortly afterwards, students visited the work site to take measurements, sketch the environment, and photograph key features.

The visit also allowed them to observe engineers at work and understand how infrastructure schemes take shape in the field.

Industry Experts Guide Students’ Designs

Back on campus, students enhanced their 3D models with support from guest consultants Matt Ives, Senior Engineer at the CRT, and Neil Tissington, Director at ground engineering firm Central Alliance, alongside the Jackson team.

Throughout the process, the students tackled genuine engineering challenges, iterated their designs, and applied CAD and 3D printing skills.

Neil said: “Central Alliance were delighted to assist the students by undertaking 3D laser scanning of the canal lock, to provide them with an accurate digital representation of the site area.

“Hopefully, this project has provided an insight into the many facets which contribute to even relatively simple civil engineering schemes, and provided them with practical experience, which will assist them in their future careers.”

Matt Ives added: “It has been great to be a part of this project and see the excellent models the students have developed.

“The blend of historic canals and STEM skills is fantastic to see.”

Final Showcase Marks Project Completion

The project will culminate on Friday 12 December, when students present their collaborative model to a panel of experts, including representatives from Jackson, CRT, and Central Alliance.

The finished piece will highlight their creativity, teamwork, and technical ability, demonstrating the impact of industry-education partnerships in inspiring future engineers.

Phil Waines, Public Liaison Officer, Jackson Civil Engineering, said: “CanalWorks 3D perfectly captures what collaboration and social value means to Jackson Civil Engineering – it’s about sharing our expertise, supporting young talent, and leaving a positive mark on the communities where we work.

“The passion and openness from everyone at Kirklees College turned a simple idea into a shared success.”