Construction & Engineering
Do you want to make your mark on Manchester or even the world? With a career in Construction or Engineering, you’ll be able to see the results of your work for years to come.
One look at the number of cranes dotted across the Manchester skyline will tell you that the construction sector is booming in this city. There’s huge demand for highly skilled tradespeople, from architects to joiners and plumbers, and no better place to learn your new trade than at The Manchester College.
We’ll give you access to everything you need to master the in-demand skills that employers are looking for. You’ll be learning in one of the most technically advanced Construction and Engineering training centres in the North West.
Our Construction and Engineering team worked with the BBC’s ‘DIY SOS Big Build’ to create a veterans’ village in East Manchester, and we’re also an academic partner to the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE).
Plus, The Manchester College is one of the only education providers in the whole of England that works directly with the fire sprinkler industry, to ensure students get the exact skills that the sector needs. If you want to work alongside colleagues in a challenging, practical environment, a career in construction could be just what you’re looking for. And the first step is easy – choose your course.
3 reasons to study Construction and Engineering with us
Brand-new facilities
Purpose built engineering facilities coming 2026/27
Trade-ready training
Develop skills in state-of-the-art workshops
Industry expertise
Learn from skilled tradespeople with a wealth of industry expertise
Available courses
Where you'll learn
When you enrol on one of our Construction and Engineering courses at our Openshaw or Wythenshawe campuses, you’ll benefit from some of the most technologically advanced training centres in the North West.
You’ll gain hands‑on experience through placements, build practical skills in a supportive environment and learn from expert tutors. With great transport links and modern classrooms, you’ll be supported every step of the way as you prepare for a career in education and early years.
Our facilities include:
-
25 specialist construction workshops
-
Purpose‑built spaces for Brickwork, Plastering, Plumbing, Carpentry & Joinery, and Painting & Decorating
-
Access to our cutting‑edge Innovation Lab
-
Newly developed bespoke workshops.
Where a career in Construction and Engineering can take you
Quantity surveyors
Average Salary £54,874
Electricians & electrical fitters
Average Salary £38,599
Bricklayers
Average Salary £28,654
Saraya Cowan • Construction and Engineering StudentI had been wanting to go to college for a while to change my career, but I didn’t think it would fit in with my other commitments. Surprisingly it has, because the College has been so supportive and now I get to follow my dreams.
More about Construction and Engineering
About our courses
If you’re 16-18 and you've obtained the necessary entry requirements, you’ll be able to join our Industry Excellence Academy from Construction and Engineering and study one of our T Levels in Construction.
These industry focused qualifications are worth the equivalent of three A Levels and have been designed in collaboration with our industry partners Balfour Beatty, Bowmer and Kirkland, Caddick Construction, Equans, Lovell Homes, Mace, Morgan Sindall Group, NG Bailey, Vinci Construction UK and Willmott Dixon, and provide a minimum 45-day industry placement.
If you’d like to progress onto a T Level but don’t currently have the entry requirements then you’ll still be able to do this by first choosing to study one of our Level 2 T Level Transition programmes.
Alternatively, you’ll join our Centre of Excellence for Construction and Engineering when you enrol on any of our qualifications from Level 1 through to Level 3, studying trades such as Bricklaying, Construction Skills, Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing and much more.
Construction & Engineering career paths
There are so many career paths you can take in the construction sector. Whichever path you’re thinking of taking, we can help you to get started on your journey with a relevant course.
Bricklaying
As a bricklayer, you’d be able to see the results of your hard work for the rest of your life. Our brickwork courses will teach you everything you need to know, from the craft itself to estimating costs and working in a safe, professional manner to an accepted code of practice. You’ll also be gaining valuable work experience.
Construction
If you’re not sure which trade is right for you, the following courses can help you to build skills in a wide range of areas. You’ll explore bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating and plumbing. You’ll also gain a greater understanding of what it’s like to work in the industry, and learn more about how to behave in the workplace, including keeping yourself and others safe on a building site.
You can use these courses to help you decide which trade to specialise in, or as a route to setting up your own maintenance or home improvements company.
Carpentry and Joinery
Are you considering a career as a carpenter or joiner? If you want to learn the essential skills required by the construction industry, and earn a widely-recognised qualification, then these are the courses for you.
Once you graduate, you could find yourself working on everything from staircases to timber frame buildings. So you’ll need to learn a wide range of essential skills during your time with us, including how to carry out first fix flooring, roofing, frames, partitions and stairs. You’ll also explore carpentry maintenance and second fixing operations, as well as learning how to set up and operate a circular saw.
Electrical Installation
Are you fascinated by how electrical systems work? If so, do you want a career building and maintaining electrical installations in machines or structures? These courses can get you started on your journey.
As you progress through the levels, you’ll explore a wide range of areas within electrotechnical technology.
You’ll be learning the principles of electrical science, as well as getting hands-on practical experience with electrical installations technology. You’ll also discover more about what life would be like out in the workplace, and what would be expected of you, including how to keep yourself and team mates safe.
By the time you reach the Level 3 course, you’ll have the basic skills and experience you need to progress into the workplace.
Engineering
If you’re interested in a career in engineering, these courses are the perfect place to start.
On the Level 2 course, you'll explore the engineered world, and will cover several areas in greater detail, including mathematics for engineering, health and safety, and engineering materials. You’ll also choose other units based on your own interests.
Painting and Decorating
As a painter and decorator, you’d be transforming homes for a living.
Our vocational painting and decorating qualification will give you the chance to build your skills through hands-on, practical sessions. You’ll learn everything from preparing surfaces and applying paint by brush and roller, to erecting and dismantling access equipment and working platforms. You’ll also explore specialist decorative finishes and a wide range of other topics.
These qualifications are widely recognised in the construction industry, so will set you on the path to a rewarding career.
Plastering
Skilled plasterers are always in demand, and these courses will give you the skills and qualifications to set yourself up in business.
As well as learning how to apply plastering materials to interiors, and fix dry linings and plasterboards, you’ll explore the other key things you need to know if you’re to work as a plasterer. These include keeping yourself, and others, safe.
As you progress through the courses, you’ll expand your knowledge in a number of different areas, and have the opportunity to focus on either solid or fibrous plastering. By the time you finish at The Manchester College, you’ll have laid the groundwork for a successful career.
Do you have an EHCP or SEND need?
The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:
- Student Experience Support Team
- Careers Employability & Welfare
- Pastoral Support Officers
- Supported Learning
We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.
Want more information?
Find out even more about our Construction and Engineering department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:
T Levels at The Manchester College
T Levels are two-year qualifications designed in collaboration with employers to give you a head start towards the career you want.
-
45-day industry placement
-
Equivalent to 3 A Levels
-
80% classroom, 20% work
Meet the team
Interested in progressing to higher education in Construction and Engineering?
Gain the blueprint you need to progress your career. Explore our courses in Construction.
Related news
This article explores why people change careers, how to navigate a career change as an adult, and the variety of career change courses offered by TMC.