Centre of Excellence - Engineering

The Government has declared 2018 the Year of Engineering and engineers are in high demand across the UK.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.

Over 2.85 million engineering jobs will need filling by 2024 and the average starting salaries for engineering and technology graduates are well above the average at £25,800.

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.

The Centre has had significant investment of £1.4m to ensure that future engineers develop technical skills and knowledge using the latest equipment and technologies which include a CNC Milling Machine, CNC Plasma Cutter and Thermo Fluid Bench and Bernoullis Principle Test equipment.

Our established Centre of Excellence is focused on raising aspirations in Engineering through outstanding teaching and delivers a wide range of courses up to degree level including Apprenticeships for careers in;

• Aircraft Design and Build Engineer
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering
• Motor Vehicle Engineer
• Robotics

Partnerships with many employers including Sellafield and MBDA Missile Systems deliver real work experience for students and our expert tutors are time served engineers.

Excellence in Student Success and Achievements

Our students progress onto University, an apprenticeship or employment in their chosen career.

• Pass rates are high with 100% pass rate at Level 3 and many of our students progress onto University or Degree Apprenticeships.
• College students make Team UK in World Skills
• 100% progression rates for Electrical & Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
• Students have represented Squad UK at World Skills

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Our expert tutors are time served experts in their industry and hold the highest qualifications in their field. They have worked in the careers we are training students for and engage in continued professional development to stay ahead. Meet some of our Engineers and Professors in the expert tutor profiles.

Industry Standard Facilities

Our students have access to real working environments and move into their chosen field with practical experience in live settings including our dedicated Pagefield Centre, a multi-million pound Engineering Centre that includes:-

• Teaching labs featuring Industry Standard Equipment
• Sustainable Technology & Renewable Energies Centre
• Automotive & Mechanical Engineering Workshops
• Construction Workshops
• Specialist Fluid & Thermodynamics Laboratory
• Inspection & Testing Facilities

Browse our facilities gallery to find out more.

Excellence in Partnerships and Employer Engagement

The College has a prestigious partnership with Sellafield Ltd and have jointly developed a nuclear degree apprenticeship programme to meet specific company needs and ensure that their apprentices are equipped with the skills needed for a career in the nuclear engineering sector.

We are proud to have strong employer partnerships within the engineering sector Sellafield Ltd, MBDA Missile Systems, HUSCO International, Electricity North West, National Nuclear Laboratory, Severfield, Krones UK and many more.