Foundation Learning

It starts with you!

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

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This full-time programme is aimed at supporting young people with specific social and emotional support needs to transition onto a vocational college course or, if more appropriate, work-based learning.

Learners will acquire the skills and confidence to move towards a more independent and adult environment. We acknowledge that moving into college is a daunting experience for a lot of young people and our programme gives them that extra time to adjust and become comfortable with the new environment and challenges ahead.

The programme we typically offer is usually 16 hours per week and usually consists of English, maths, employability, digital and creative; as well as access to vocational and work-based opportunities. However, each young person will have a study programme and level of support built to accommodate their own needs.

Our incredibly successful NHS Sector Based Work Academy programme – run in partnership with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the Department for Work and Pensions – is designed to start you on the path to a career in the NHS.

You'll receive support in getting back to work with us, learning crucial skills that will make you stand out from other job seekers, before then taking part in a five week work placement as either a Healthcare Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant or Business Administrator.

Once you've completed your placement you'll have developed the skills needed to boost your chances of employment in the healthcare sector and will receive a guaranteed interview with the NHS.

There is high demand for places on this programme when they become available, therefore, applicants will be invited to join us at an open event to learn more about the application process and what you need to do to prepare yourself ahead of interviews for the programme.

To apply email: pre-employment@tmc.ac.uk

Our range of Work and Skills programmes are designed to improve your skills, provide you with support and boost your chances of progressing onto work or further study.

We offer a range of courses to suit your interests and future plans including courses in Digital Skills, Business Administration, Health and Social Care, Volunteering and more. 

Our 12 week King's Trust ‘Team Programme’ for 16-25 year olds aims to help you gain new skills, meet new friends and make a positive difference, giving you the opportunity to take part in your own group community project and action packed residential trip.

If you're aged between 16-18, click here to apply.

If you're aged over 19, click here to apply

Find out more about the King's Trust 'Team Programme' and how it can help you on YouTube:

Watch the King's Trust Team video

In order to help get students ready for one of our internships and future employment, we also offer a Preparation for Supported Internship course.

This gives students the opportunity to develop skills via a mix of classroom activities, community visits, work tasters and work placements, ahead of future employment and taking the next step onto one of our Supported Internship programmes.

Our Supported Internships are aimed specifically at students with Education, Health and Care Plans up to the age of 24 who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The internships support students through barriers to employment and are tailored to specific skills and support needs.

On our Supported Internship programmes, young people have access to training in a real workplace, with host employers including Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Airport, Manchester City Council and our Digital and Creative Internship, as well as a wide range of different businesses in and around Manchester and at Media City in Salford Quays.

Interns are supported to develop real work skills in private and public sector work placements that are closely matched to their skills and interests. Alongside their work placements, they will continue to progress their functional skills in English and maths as well as appropriately targeted vocational qualifications such as food hygiene and health and safety.

They’re supported to settle in and learn the job by an employment officer, job coach and teacher throughout the duration of the placement and in the majority of cases go on to secure meaningful work.

Our ‘Routes to’ courses can be customised to meet the requirements of individual students, helping them to develop a range of skills associated with community living, employment and education.

Routes to Learning
Specifically designed for students with learning difficulties and disabilities who can follow instructions and routines, and who would like to develop their own independence and work skills.

Routes to Skills and Employability
Designed for any student under the age of 24 with an EHCP (or in the process of gaining one), this course will help those with the potential to develop their work skills, make positive decisions about their next steps, and focus their goals on employment in the future.

Routes to Industry
This is our ‘high impact’ programme of study, where students identified with potential can be supported to achieve accelerated progression onto the mainstream curriculum.

Once identified, students will work with both their ‘Routes to’ teacher and a specialist teacher to find opportunities to integrate into the mainstream vocational route of their ambitions during the current academic year.

Our Volition programme - in partnership with Manchester Cathedral - will provide you with the opportunity to learn new skills, take a qualification and gain work experience volunteering at Manchester Cathedral or with another of our partners.

Through this 10-week, part-time programme we'll help you improve your English and maths skills, develop the key skills employers are searching for, boost your confidence and meet new people, all while taking a recognised qualification.

Our Foundation Learning courses are available at a number of our campuses across Greater Manchester and externally at employer locations.

Wherever you study, you’ll learn in classrooms that reflect a strong focus on employability and developing independence and skills.

Plus, if you’re on one our Prince’s Trust programmes you’ll be making use of some outstanding outdoor education facilities on a week-long residential.

Andrew Pickles - Assistant Principal

Andrew has worked in education since 2001 and has spent over 10 years in Local Government, becoming a Senior Leader in Children’s Services, before returning to further education and joining the college in 2021 as Assistant Principal.

Andrew is passionate that all students should achieve their full potential and believes that staff are in a unique and fortunate position being part of a students’ journey. He is an advocate for student achievement and is committed to providing an ambitious and aspirational experience that leads to a sustained career.

Michelle Rigg - Director of Foundation Learning

Michelle has worked in youth work and education for over 30 years and at The Manchester College for the last 22. She became Director of the Foundation Learning and Student Support in 2022 after more than 15 years as a Curriculum Lead.

Michelle has served on Boards for The Manchester Settlement, Newton Heath Community Learning Centre and The Manchester Secondary PRU (Pupil Referral Unit).

She passionately believes that all young people have the right to benefit from a consistently high level of education and support.

Lucy Knowles - Head of Department

With fifteen years of experience in both further and higher education, Lucy has worked across a range of educational institutions. She began her career teaching A-levels but quickly developed a passion for enhancing teaching and learning.

This led her to a role as Programme Leader for Initial Teacher Education before transitioning into the field of Quality. Now serving as Head of Quality for Foundation Learning, Lucy is dedicated to fostering teachers’ epistemic agency to ensure students consistently benefit from exceptional learning experiences.

Ben Metcalfe - Head of Department

With a strong background in education, curriculum development, and leadership, Ben has dedicated his career to supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEND, helping them raise their aspirations and reach their full potential.

Ben has worked to ensure that learners are well-informed about both local and national job markets, while also equipping them with the employability and interpersonal skills vital for success in the workplace.

Daniel Kirkham - Head of Department

Daniel has worked within The Manchester College SEND departments for over 17 years and is currently the Head of Department for the Routes and Pre-Internship programmes.

He started his career as a teacher for our Skills for Working Life courses delivering independence and work readiness skills to SEND Students, eventually progressing after 10 years to his current role.

Daniel is passionate about helping SEND students to reach their full potential and feel prepared for adulthood.

Andrew Parkinson - Department Team Leader

Andrew has worked in education for over twelve years, initially specialising as a SEND teacher, and more recently managing education programmes.

Andrew oversees Prince’s Trust and Pre-Employment provision and is the lead Internal Quality Assessor within the department.

He feels truly privileged to work in education because he has seen the ways it can make a difference to the lives of students who may not have previously had important opportunities available to them. This is fundamentally what motivates and inspires him.

Sarah Downes - Department Team Leader

Sarah has worked in education for 18 years and has spent over 14 of these at The Manchester College. Before joining the College, Sarah gained experience as a teaching assistant and a youth worker delivering music workshops in primary and secondary settings.

In 2023 Sarah became Department Team Leader for Foundation Learning and is now responsible for our Foundation Learning Programme and Pupil Referral Unit provisions.

She is passionate about re-engaging students and providing equality of opportunity throughout their time in education.

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 Foundation Learning department in our subject area guide: