Key Achievements and Milestones
Graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with the College’s contribution to skills rated ‘Strong’ following a full four-day inspection in March 2025.
Inspectors recognised how courses are co-designed with employers and lead directly to further training or employment, particularly in digital, health and service industries.
The inspection also highlighted the strong sense of belonging experienced by students, supporting engagement, retention and achievement.
Student Success and Outcomes
- 91.3% overall achievement rate across further education provision
- 90.4% achievement for 16–18 learners
- 92.1% achievement for adult learners
Learners from the most deprived wards nationally outperform those from the least deprived, demonstrating the College’s impact on social mobility and inclusive growth.
Skills Excellence and Employer-Relevant Competitions
- Students achieved 12 podium finishes at the GM Colleges’ Skills Competition, showcasing technical excellence, professionalism and confidence.
- Participation in external skills competitions forms part of the College’s approach to developing industry-standard behaviours, resilience and high-performance skills valued by employers.
Innovation in Teaching, Leadership and AI
- Launched the AI Teaching Alliance, bringing together colleagues to explore responsible and effective use of AI in teaching, assessment and feedback.
- Digital specialists supported 97 colleagues through one-to-one innovation sessions, enhancing curriculum delivery and learner engagement.
- Piloted AI-supported feedback tools to improve assessment efficiency while maintaining quality and consistency.
What This Means for Employers
Employers benefit from working with The Manchester College through access to:
- A pipeline of skilled, motivated learners
- Curriculum shaped by real labour market needs
- Opportunities to influence training, assessment and future skills development
- Inclusive talent that reflects Manchester’s diverse communities
Future Plans and Opportunities for Collaboration
Looking ahead, The Manchester College will continue to:
- Expand employer co-design of curriculum and assessment
- Grow opportunities for work placements, industry projects and live briefs
- Embed digital, green and AI-related skills across provision
- Support employers to address skills shortages through flexible training solutions
Call to Action – Get Involved
If you are an employer looking to:
- Shape future skills and curriculum
- Offer placements, projects or industry insight
- Build a diverse, work-ready talent pipeline
- Collaborate on innovative skills solutions
👉 Contact The Manchester College today to explore partnership opportunities and help develop the skilled workforce Manchester needs.
