Construction & Engineering

It starts with you!

Get career ready with us and unlock your potential today, view our range of Construction and Engineering courses and enrol to study at the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*.

Aged 16-18? Apply now

Aged 19+? Apply now

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.

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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.

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We believe that students generally learn best from tutors who have real-life experience of their subject. So you’ll find that most of your tutors will have worked in the construction industry for several years before joining The Manchester College.

Get to know some of our tutors:

Ella Tsui-Lau - Assistant Principal

Ella has a vast experience successfully managing curriculum areas within Automotive, Construction, Engineering and Logistics at senior leadership level within Further Education. She works closely with employers and industry boards to ensure that our curriculum aligns with the local, regional and national skills strategy, focusing on priorities such as green technology and future skills. She is passionate in transforming young people's lives, in helping them to build an aspirational and ambitious career to future proof the industry.

Gary Latham - Engineering Tutor

Gary started his career as an Electrical Engineering apprentice at 16 for a Swiss printing company, that specialise in metalising machinery manufacture, maintenance and testing/commissioning across the globe.

He then went on to higher education, completing his HNC and spending years within the industry working at different companies in the food and printing industry.

Gary particularly enjoys seeing the progression of learners from when they start with us at the college, to obtaining employment or higher educational studies.

He is also driving the T Level programmes to ensure the best curriculum is set up for the learners and their futures within the industry.

Warren Cousins - Electrical Installation Tutor

Warren has worked for over 30 years in the electrotechnical industry as an Electrical Tutor, Associate Electrical Engineer and Electrical Installer. He was worked both locally and internationally in various countries such as; Bermuda, United States, Panama and Jamaica.

The electrotechnical industry became his passion from early secondary school education. Warren went on to pursue his dream by completing a diploma in Electrical Technology, followed by Bachelor of Education degree in Electrical Technology.

Warren has spent the last 15 years teaching Electrical Installation to students of all ages, from school leavers to adult learners. He is passionate about planning and delivering high quality, learner-focused education in secure and friendly environment to enable learners to fulfil their full potential.

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 be learning in simulated working environments with brand new, industry standard equipment at our newly developed Openshaw campus in East Manchester. We have 25 specialist construction workshops, including bespoke areas for scaffolding, refrigeration, and fire sprinkler installation.

You can also study a number of courses at our Wythenshawe campus where we have a wide range of high-quality facilities that will enable you to gain all the skills you will require for a future career.

Explore our amazing facilities

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.

Find out more about our student support offer:

Find out even more about our Construction and Engineering department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:

Download our subject area guide

Watch our YouTube playlist

Start something new with our Adult Education courses for 19+ starting in 2024/25! 

Browse our wide range of courses and apply now.

Browse 19+ adult courses