The engineering sector reports evidence of skills shortages for employers in key UK engineering sectors including aerospace, telecoms, rail, power, nuclear, chemical, civil and defence.

Wigan & Leigh College has a long-standing history and reputation for providing excellence in engineering and manufacturing and is committed to training highly skilled engineers of the future.

The College specialises in intelligent engineering including mechatronics, robotics, automation and autonomous vehicles, as well as the development and evolution of hybrid technologies.

Our established Centre of Excellence has been raising aspirations in Creative Arts through outstanding teaching and state of the art facilities. We offer a wide range of courses up to degree level for careers in Creative Direction & Design, Fine Art, Music, TV & Radio, Photography, Broadcasting, Education (Arts), Illustration, Journalism and PR (Public Relations).

The creative sector offers a diverse range of careers from illustrator, artist or graphic designer to jewellery designer, printer and photographer with an increased demand for those with new technology skills. Over 44% of those who work in creative roles are self-employed.

A junior graphic designer can expect to earn up to £19,000, with experience this may rise to £35,000. An experienced textile designer, Illustrator and jewellery designer could earn £28,000 on average.

Our established Centre of Excellence is focused on raising aspirations in Health & Social Care and delivers courses up to degree level including Apprenticeships for careers in Counselling, Medicine, Midwifery. Nursing, Paramedic and Social Work.

According to Health Education England, health workers are in high demand, in particular nurses, therapists, midwives and paramedics. The NHS needs to recruit 190,000 more staff by 2027 to meet the demands of a growing and ageing population.

Starting salaries for paramedics and nurses range from £22,000 to £29,000. With experience and seniority, salaries rise from £31,000 to £69,000.

Our Sporting Centre of Excellence, situated on Leigh Sports Village, delivers courses up to degree level for Careers in Sports Development, Sports Coaching, Teaching in Sport, Exercise and Fitness Instructing, Leisure Management Exercise, Health & Fitness.

Around 371,800 people work in the sport industry in 176,000 businesses throughout the UK. There are a wide range of careers as well as sporting professionals, including personal trainers, sports coaches and sports scientists.

The typical salary for senior coaches, employed by National Governing Bodies or professional sports clubs, ranges from £30,000 to £35,000. Exercise physiologists employed in the sports sector may earn between £18,000 and £35,000. And for those in high-profile sport science, salaries can exceed £60,000 and may reach up to £100,000.