Video: Behind the scenes in Dewsbury’s Pioneer House

Students from Kirklees College were given the tour to coincide with the completion of the first phase of repairs, which have taken place over the last 12 months.

Mark Howroyd, a lecturer at the college’s Dewsbury campus, said: “It’s a great opportunity for the students to find out about major construction work in their area.

“The plasterers get to see some of the ornate plaster work and the joiners can see some of the joist work. Hopefully this is the kind of work they will be going into eventually.”

Coun Cathy Scott, Cabinet member for investment and housing, said: “As site visits go, the scale of the challenge we have had to deal with here, certainly offers them a more unique visit experience than more run-of-the-mill building sites.”

The building has been re-roofed and is now structurally safe and weatherproof.

All exterior stonework has been repaired, as have many existing windows.

Coun Scott added: “I hope that seeing this work at first hand inspires those starting out in their careers to work hard and reassures them that there are many workplace opportunities for those with practical skills.”

The students will be the last public visitors on site before work begins in April to remove the scaffolding which has encased the building.