Support TMC to bridge the gap between education and industry
The Manchester College delivers hands-on, industry-aligned and specialised computing education that equips students with real-world skills in 'coding, networking, data analysis, project management.
Through employer partnerships and project-based learning, we don’t just teach technical knowledge - we prepare work-ready learners who are confident, capable, and career-focused. Our approach helps students explore the full breadth of computing careers while actively contributing to the region’s growing digital skills pipeline.
Industry partnerships launched
We’re excited to announce the launch of several new industry partnerships this year, expanding our employee pool and creating valuable T Level placement opportunities across multiple Digital pathways. These partnerships are helping bridge the gap between education and industry by offering students hands-on experience in real professional environments. Our newest placement partners include:
- Ajar Technology
- AutoTrader
- The Co-operative Bank
- Circular Refining
- EssenceMediacom
These partnerships are helping bridge the gap between education and industry by offering students hands-on experience in real professional environments, and reflect our commitment to providing tailored, relevant, and career-focused work placements that align with students’ specialisms. Together with our industry collaborators, we’re helping to build confident, capable digital professionals ready to make their mark.
Beyond the books
At TMC, we’ve developed a proven, forward-thinking approach to tackling digital skills shortages - by ensuring our students leave college work-ready. Our model blends classroom learning with structured, real-world experience, so that students build not just technical know-how, but the mindset, professionalism, and confidence that employers value.
Our aim is to make computing education meaningful, practical, and inspiring. This year, we gave our first-year RQF students a learning experience that blended technical skills with real-world exposure. Students began the year learning to plan, design, and build websites. Working through a typical development cycle, they:
- Analysed Client Needs
- Created Requirement Materials
- Built Functional Websites
- Learned from Experts.
But our innovation doesn't stop with classroom projects—it’s embedded in our T Level Industry Placement model, which has been tried, tested, and proven to work for both students and employers.
Here's how it works:
- Structured Recruitment Process
We work with employers to design a tailored recruitment experience. Depending on the employer's preference, this could include CV screening, hosting an onsite interview day, running design competitions, or even judging student-led projects. It’s flexible, effective, and employer-led. - Bootcamp / Induction Phase (2 Weeks)
Selected students then take part in a two-week Bootcamp at the employer’s site. This induction phase helps students understand company culture, tools, workflows, and expectations—setting them up for success while giving employers the chance to shape their learning early on. - Industry Placement (7 Weeks, Summer Term)
Students complete a 7-week placement in the summer term, embedded within the business. For employers, this is a chance to work closely with motivated learners and identify potential future talent for apprenticeships or junior roles.
This model isn’t hypothetical - it’s a proven talent pipeline. Employers gain early access to fresh talent, tailored to their business needs. Students, in turn, build confidence, industry awareness and professional-level skills. It’s an innovative, collaborative response to digital skills shortages - and it works.
Success stories
At TMC, our students leave not only with qualifications, but with the ambition, confidence, and direction needed to thrive in the digital world. We're incredibly proud to celebrate a series of standout achievements from learners who, upon graduating this year, have secured Degree Apprenticeships with some of the UK’s most respected employers in tech and finance. This year’s success stories include offers from:
- Rolls-Royce, for a highly competitive Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
- JP Morgan, with reserve offers for sought-after apprenticeship programmes
- Lloyds Banking Group, with multiple students progressing into Degree Apprenticeships across digital roles
These success stories are a testament to the aspirations and hard work of our learners - and to the impactful role that industry partnerships, practical experience, and high expectations play in preparing students for their future.
T Level Rebranding – What’s New and Why It Matters
While we’re not in a position to reveal the full scope of changes just yet—as the rebranding materials shared with us are still in draft form and not finalised—we’re excited about what’s on the horizon.
What we can say is this: the upcoming rebrand reflects a strategic shift designed to sharpen the identity of T Levels and better communicate their value to both students and employers. It shows a bold move toward a more modern, agile, and responsive curriculum—one that keeps pace with the demands of a fast-evolving digital and tech-driven landscape.
This change matters because it represents:
- Stronger alignment with employer expectations
- Greater clarity for learners exploring their next steps
- A reaffirmation of the T Level commitment to combining classroom knowledge with real-world skills
Join Our Alliance Model
We’re inviting employers to become part of our Alliance Model - a collaborative approach that bridges the gap between education and industry.
Whether you can offer:
- A live project brief
- A guest lecture, workshop, or masterclass
- Mentoring or mock interviews
- Work placements (short or long-term)
- Input into our curriculum to keep it industry-relevant
...your involvement brings real value to our students—and your business. Link to join our alliance Model
Learn more: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/d8lVCvYw6UyZnxOIAsncQaWoH
