Other projects and partnerships

The Arden School of Theatre

The Arden School of Theatre was established in conjunction with the Royal Exchange Theatre nearly 20 years ago to offer first class theatre training in the North West.

With its recent move to the centrally located Universal Square, the School has great new facilities as well as links with renowned theatres across Manchester.

The Arden also has lots of visiting collaborators and directors, including Dave Threlfall (Frank Gallagher in Shameless).

Students on the college’s BA Acting/Musical Theatre courses have showcases in both Manchester and London, providing the opportunity to attract an agent in the North or the South.

For more information, visit The Arden.

DisabledGo

DisabledGo is an award-winning organisation that was formed nine years ago following an extensive consultation exercise with disabled people to identify barriers to involvement and participation. The research identified a significant barrier as ‘not knowing what venues were accessible to a disabled person’s individual needs’.

To address this barrier, DisabledGo worked with disabled people to design a method of surveying venues to provide information about accessibility that empowers disabled people to choose venues that they feel meet their specific requirements. Each venue is surveyed in person and is subject to the same standard of surveying.

DisabledGo has surveyed The Manchester College's facilities and information about the college is available on the DisabledGo website.

FE Enterprise Hub

The Manchester College is involved in a three-year project which involves working with local secondary and primary schools to develop and embed an enterprise culture within their organisations.

It is expected that the FE Enterprise Hub project will provide the young people of the north-west with a unique opportunity to learn the skills and approach needed to be a success in the modern business world.

Forum Learning at Wythenshawe Forum

Forum Learning is a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to adult learning and training, bringing together the services of The Manchester College, Stepping Stones, JobCentre Plus, and Manchester City Council's Adult Education and Library & Information Services. Local people have the opportunity to learn new skills, gain new qualifications and get new jobs, all under the same roof.

Wythenshawe is benefiting from major regeneration and redevelopment programmes, including the growth of Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe Hospital. Wythenshawe is an area of major economic growth and opportunity. As a result, there are many exciting job opportunities for local residents with the right skills and qualifications. Forum Learning is working with local employers to deliver these skills. There is a strong focus on employability training, but also a range of courses aimed at enhancing quality of life.

A series of 'get into work' courses have been developed with the key employment sectors in Wythenshawe to offer training in customer service, retail, administration and care.

Forum Learning also offers Skills for Life and ESOL courses, to help adults improve their skills with speaking, reading and writing English, and in Maths. These courses are free, and are available at several levels up to GCSE. These are ideal for adults who feel their English or Maths skills are holding them back from getting a job, or from doing better at work.

Motor Industry Skills Consortium (MISC)

The Manchester College is a member of the Motor Industry Skills Consortium (MISC).

MISC is a network of automotive training centres that are dedicated to providing a high level of innovative training and assessment to the motor industry. MISC centres provide

• apprenticeships
• recognised qualifications
• customised training

National Enterprise Academy

Manchester's National Enterprise Academy (NEA) is a partnership between the Peter Jones Foundation and The Manchester College. We have recruited learners to level 2 and level 3 programmes in the UK's first full-time accredited courses in enterprise and entrepreneurship for 16-19 year olds.

Pathway to NVQ Level 2 Retail

The college is working with retail employers, training consultants and Preston College to deliver individualised learning programmes to retail employers/employees across the North West. The programme is designed to prepare employees for level 2 training.

Skills Pledge

The Manchester College is working with Manchester City Council to fulfil the adult section of their Skills Pledge; a public commitment to ensure that all staff have at least level 2 qualifications.

TUC Education

The TUC Education Centre at Bridgewater House, Manchester has been established to run high quality learning programmes for trade union members, representatives and officers in partnership with trade unions and employers.

All TUC courses are run in a friendly and informal setting. Delegates work collectively on the courses, under the guidance of a skilled and experienced tutor.

TUC courses are free to paid-up union members who are representing their unions and have negotiated paid release from work. There is legal backing for paid release through a variety of legislation, and if you have any difficulties, contact your senior union representative or full-time officer.

To find out more, visit the TUC or Union Learn.