Engineering & Construction
We provide high quality, higher-level technical education and training, and are the lead FE (further education) College within the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT).
Our Engineering & Construction Centre of Excellence offers our students and employers some of the best technical teaching facilities in the region.
These include our Additive Manufacturing Lab, Future Energy Zone, Robotics Lab and Thermo Dynamics facilities, providing a comprehensive foundation in the principles and practices of intelligent engineering.
This involves mechatronics, robotics, automation and autonomous vehicles, as well as the development and evolution of hybrid technologies.
We’re creating future innovators through deep technical study plus exceptional industry placements, skills competitions, work experience and sector specific trips.
We have links with the top employers in the North-West including Sellafield Ltd, Nuvia, KraftHeinz, Electricity North West along with many small and medium sized employers.
Courses range from Level 1 through to HND and degrees, with many students choosing apprenticeships to earn while they learn. Achievement rates are consistently high with the opportunity for learning progression as careers advance and develop.
We are Building Minds & Engineering Futures
Forging Connections
Local employers now consider Wigan & Leigh College’s talent pool to be their preferred choice for recruitment rather than traditional online options.
From site visits to T Level partners and placements, our courses ensure students are well-prepared to transition seamlessly from the classroom to the workplace.
We’re proud to have strong employer partnerships within the engineering and construction sector, including:
- Sellafield Ltd
- Electricity North West
- KraftHeinz
- Scottish Power
- Tilbury Douglas
- Willmott Dixon.
Students will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and stay updated on latest trends and technologies.
We’ve worked in partnership with Sellafield Ltd for more than three years, and jointly developed a nuclear degree apprenticeship programme to meet specific company needs.
Sellafield Ltd apprentices undertake an intensive five-year programme, gaining hands on experience in the industry and academic study at our Centre of Excellence.
Empowering Innovation
Based within the Pagefield building, our industry standard equipment provides learning that simulates real-world scenarios.
We’ve invested millions in the centre to ensure future builders and engineers can develop technical skills necessary for their career.
CNC milling machine
CNC plasma cutter
Festo equipment
Future Energy Zone
Automotive & mechanical engineering workshops
Construction workshops
Inspection and testing facilities
Additive manufacturing Lab
Robotics Lab
Thermo Fluids Facilities
Our extensive staff knowledge and facility investments enable students to stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
Engineer your Future
Alongside expert staff, you’ll be encouraged to push boundaries, think critically, and innovate solutions to complex problems. Our students have represented Squad UK at WorldSkills, including one of our former Plastering students who went on to win gold.
We played host to seven of the WorldSkills UK National Finals. The competitions saw students and apprentices from all over the UK arrive to compete in a celebration of world-class skills; all aiming to impress officiating judges.
Finals included Aircraft Maintenance and Industrial Electronics at our Pagefield campus, and our Centre for Advanced Technical Studies provided the backdrop for the Health and Social Care competitions.
Our students progress onto university, apprenticeships or employment after college.
Teachers – In Focus
Stewart Boyle, Plumbing Lecturer
Stewart worked as a Plumbing, Heating and Gas Engineer for ten years, where he did lots of domestic and retrofit work for private customers.
The Worcester Bosch accredited installer’s main tasks included small repairs and replacement jobs, to full bathroom and central heating installation.
He said: “Passing on knowledge and training to my apprentices was something I always enjoyed. I thought I’d try teaching as I felt I had a lot to offer and enjoyed passing on knowledge to my apprentices.
“I really enjoy teaching and in a changing, more sustainable world, I love seeing students grow into the next generation of Plumbing and Heating Engineers.”
Martin Gilmore, Civil Engineering Lecturer
Martin started his career with Balfour Beatty where he worked on a Manchester City Centre refurbishment with Façade retention and a Morrison’s superstore in Dukinfield.
As a graduate engineer, he progressed to Senior Site Engineer and then Site Manager. Some of the building projects he worked on during this time included Barclays Bank (northern headquarters), Whiston Hospital and the University of Central Lancashire’s Greenbank Building.
“In my role I would establish primary control and setting out, check any temporary works as a qualified Temporary Works Co-ordinator and coordinate subcontractors as well as liaising with the design team.
“I left main contracting to enter education in September 1998 to fuse together my education and the excellent opportunities that Balfour Beatty provided me during my construction career. I hope by providing motivation to students I can inspire them to have successful careers in our industry.” .
Constructing Careers
Cailey Miller
Cailey is arguably one of the borough’s most impressive young individuals. She has several strings to her bow including being one of the best ‘up and coming’ engineers as well as being an all-round sports athlete. The former Bedford High School pupil currently works as a mechanical designer at NUVIA UK, part of the world-leading VINCI Construction group.
Cailey finished her HND in Mechanical Engineering at University Centre Wigan & Leigh College while working for the company and has progressed onto the Level 6 Nuclear Scientist programme as part of a degree apprenticeship. The STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) ambassador is also a winger for Wigan Warriors Women’s Team having previously played for Leigh RUFC.
But it’s her engineering prowess that impresses the most, boasting numerous accolades ahead of what is sure to be a successful career within the industry. In 2022, Cailey achieved The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Engineering Apprentice of the Year as well as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) most improved apprentice.
Not only that, but she also won a silver medal at the 2021 National Finals of Worldskills UK in the mechanical engineering CAD category. Cailey knew from a young age what she wanted to do and had a fixed mind-set saying: “I was always better at, and more interested in STEM subjects and problem solving, which steered me towards engineering. I also knew that it was important to build solid foundations for my career, so opted for an apprenticeship.”
Her day-to-day job at NUVIA UK involves using Autodesk Inventor software to produce 3D models and 2D drawings of detailed designs for equipment within nuclear plants. Cailey is hoping to continue playing for the Warriors and work towards studying a masters with an overall aim of becoming a Charted Engineer before she’s 30.
Moneka Duffy, Degree Apprentice
While studying for a BEng (Hons) Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering degree at our University Centre last year, Moneka worked as a Mechanical Designer for Sellafield Ltd, a nuclear company in Warrington.
Last October, she was awarded the Sellafield Ltd Degree Apprentice of the Year. Speaking of her apprenticeship, she said: “The course gives a wider appreciation of what you can go into. The integrated approach has given me sought after skills that I can relate to the workplace and the teaching further helps with our dissertation work-based projects.”
Ben Love
Former Level 3 Electrical & Electronic student, Ben has been selected to represent Team UK at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. Ben is a Degree Apprentice at Siemens and studies on a Greater Manchester Institute of Technology course while working at the engineering company.
Lainey Shaw
Level 2 Painting and Decorating student, Lainey Shaw has progressed onto an apprenticeship with Prestige Female Painting and Decorating Services.
The former St John Fisher Catholic High School pupil said: “Learning a trade was 100% the right choice for me. I love learning and getting to use my skills straight away. My tutors have been amazing and are always willing to help me if I need it. I can see how far I am progressing every day.”
