Engineering at B&FC

Careers in engineering are exciting, rewarding and creative, and ideal for those with good problem-solving skills and a flair for maths and science. Engineers are in extremely high demand; 186,000 people with engineering skills are needed per year in the run up to 2024.* Roles that are particularly hard to fill include design development engineers, engineering technicians and mechanical engineers.

B&FC’s Engineering department is the only one in Lancashire judged as Grade 1 Outstanding. Our programmes are co-created with major employers to provide industry-relevant skills that have supported career progression with companies such as EDF Energy, Westinghouse Springfields Fuels, BAE Systems and Airbus.

Discover how B&FC can help you begin or advance a career in engineering. Contact us on T 01253 504 343 or E info@blackpool.ac.uk.

*Prospects.ac.uk 2018

Engineering programmes

School Leavers Degree-Level Courses Apprenticeships For Business Adults

Careers

A current shortage of skilled engineers means there are excellent career opportunities for talented engineering graduates within a variety of sectors. Engineering tends to attract the highest salaries for graduates compared with all other subjects of study, and is consistently among the highest paid professions in the UK.

Most popular career routes:

£34,000

Average annual wage in this sector

4,075

Annual job openings in the North West

What our staff and students say

“I chose this course as I like the challenge of avionics and mechanics; also, it leads to different types of careers. I’m really enjoying it – I learn new skills at College and my placement helps me to improve them.”

Lauren Nixon, Level 3 Aeronautical Engineering

“B&FC is an excellent place to study with a variety of programmes and progression routes right through to degree level.”

Candice Downie BEng (Hons) PGCE MPhil FHEA MIET CEng, Curriculum Manager Engineering and former Systems Engineer at BAE

“I’d thoroughly recommend B&FC for engineering courses. All the lecturers have been there and done it. They know the right advice at the right time to help you progress your career.”

Phil Bates, a Mechanical Engineering graduate, is now Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for Addison Project

Why choose B&FC?

Getting Here

With our FREE 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass, eligible students* get unlimited use of any Blackpool Transport bus or Tram. We also offer help with long-distance travel costs.

Personalised Learning

Your own personal progress tutor will help you to settle in, keep you informed about upcoming events and provide ongoing support and guidance. We also offer confidential counselling.

Money Matters

We offer a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone. You could also get up to £1200 worth of funding and FREE meals if you're in care or receiving certain benefits.

Learning Support

If you have a disability (including a specific learning or mental health difficulty) we will help you to access the support needed to manage your studies as independently as possible.

Food and Drink

From smoothies to sub rolls, we offer a wide range of low-cost food and drink plus a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone and FREE meals for eligible students*.

*Eligibility applies - see blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding for details

Career Planning

Our free careers service includes expert advice and resources to help with making career choices, applying to university and coaching to get you ready for employment.

Expert Tutors

Our tutors are specialists in their subjects and help you develop the skills you need to be successful. They regularly spend time in industry to keep their knowledge and experience up-to-date.

Students' Union

Our Students' Union runs a variety of clubs, societies and events, all aimed at giving you the best student experience possible. You could also get involved as a rep or elected officer.

Sports

Sports are big at B&FC and there are lots of fitness activites and College teams for you to join, facilitated through our all-weather pitch, sports hall and fitness suite-inspirations.

Work experience opportunities

B&FC works with a wide range of leading engineering companies, offering specific industry placements that offer valuable sector experience.

“We have had a long and beneficial relationship with B&FC. Much of Springfield’s engineering workforce qualified through programmes at B&FC and we see the benefit of a local college providing quality learning opportunities.”

Keith Tidmarsh, Apprentice Training Manager

Westinghouse Springfields

"BAE Systems benefits greatly from working with Blackpool and The Fylde College. The results have been outstanding."

BAE Systems

"The collaboration with Blackpool and The Fylde College brings with it great opportunities and inestimable benefits for both parties, while creating something very special and totally unique for Blackpool."

Blackpool Transport Services Ltd Heritage Trams

Take a virtual tour

Industry-standard facilities

“I’ve seen a few of these technology centres over the past ten years and this is by far the biggest and best, it really is impressive.”
World superbike legend Carl Fogarty, while visiting the Advanced Technology Centre.

Student and tutor in engineering workshop

Advanced engineering workshops include the latest CNC technology.

Our project zone features pneumatics, robotics, electronics and the latest CAD design studio.

Advanced Technology Centre Blackpool and The Fylde College

B&FC's £10.5m Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is producing the engineers of the future.

Student experience

Shaping bright futures

Our engineering students access fascinating industry placements such as the one at Blackpool’s Lightworks Depot. Here, students are supporting skilled craftsmen and engineers to create and maintain the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations.

Inspire the next generation

Engineering students mentor pupils from local schools through exciting initiatives such as the annual Young Engineers competition and the new Blackpoolrobo robotics challenge.