Engineering
Where would the world be without the exceptional minds of Da Vinci, Tesla, Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and many more? We would have no trains, cars, planes, radios, x-ray machines, phones or lights. Have you heard of a man called Steve, who found Apple? Not Steve Jobs, the less famous one, Steve Wozniak.
Students will study communications for engineering technicians, engineering projects, mathematics for engineering technicians, mechanical principles and applications, electrical and electronical principles, computer aided drafting, thermodynamics and electronic fault-finding. You will also experience guest speakers from the industry, trade shows, work on live projects, enjoy trips and visits with your classmates to London, as well as being linked to valuable employers as we assist you in progressing towards an Apprenticeship.
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Engineering at West Lancashire College
What can I do with a career in Engineering?
Daily tasks:
- Tests, diagnoses faults and undertakes repair of electronic equipment.
- Organises and establishes control systems to monitor performance and evaluate designs.
- Determines and specifies appropriate production and/or installation methods and quality and safety standards.
- Undertakes research and advises on all aspects of telecommunications equipment, radar, telemetry and remote control systems, data processing equipment, microwaves and other electronic equipment.
Daily tasks:
- Writes reports for funding bids and planning authorities and acts as expert witness.
- Examines accident 'backspots' to improve road safety.
- Assesses schemes to manage traffic such as congestion charging and parking controls.
- Forecasts the impact on traffic and transport of new developments (e.g. shopping centre).
- Records, monitors and reports progress.
- Identifies defects in work and proposes corrections.
- Regularly inspects and monitors progress and quality of work, ensures legal requirements are met.
- Hires and may supervise site staff, establishes temporary site offices, takes delivery of materials.
- Plans work schedules for construction projects based on prior discussion with architects, surveyors etc..
- Assembles information for invoicing at the end of projects.
Daily tasks:
- Visits and advises clients on the use and servicing of electrical and electronic systems and equipment.
- Diagnoses and detects faults and implements procedures to maintain efficient operation of systems and equipment.
- Plans installation methods, checks completed installation for safety and controls or undertakes the initial running of the new electrical or electronic equipment or system.
- Sets up equipment, undertakes tests, takes readings, performs calculations and records and interprets data.
- Plans and prepares work and test schedules based on specifications and drawings.
Daily tasks:
- Examines electrical plant or machinery, domestic appliances and other electrical assembly for faults using test equipment and replaces worn parts and faulty wiring.
- Installs electrical plant, machinery and other electrical fixtures and appliances such as fuse boxes, generators, light sockets etc..
- Assembles parts and sub-assemblies using hand tools and by brazing, riveting or welding.
- Cuts, bends and installs electrical conduit.
- Selects, cuts and lays wires and connects to sockets, plugs or terminals by crimping, soldering, brazing or bolting.
- Examines drawings, specifications and wiring diagrams to determine the method and sequence of operations.
Daily tasks:
- Reports as required to managerial staff on work-related matters.
- Determines or recommends staffing and other needs to meet productivity requirements.
- Liaises with managers and contractors to resolve operational problems.
- Establishes and monitors work schedules to meet productivity requirements.
- Directly supervises and coordinates the activities of construction and building workers and/or subcontractors.
Daily tasks:
- Tests joints with electronic test equipment or by filling piping with water, smoke or compressed air.
- Joints pipe by sealing with rubber, cement, lead, etc., connects piping to manholes and attaches pipe junctions as required.
- Selects appropriate asbestos, clay, concrete, plastic or metal pipe sections and lowers them into prepared trenches using hoisting equipment.
- Cuts, shapes and fits wood, lays bricks and tiles, cleans exterior surfaces of buildings and resurfaces eroded stone or brickwork, and performs other tasks in the construction, alteration, repair and demolition of buildings.
- Selects appropriate plasterboard or dry lining panels, cuts them to required size and fixes them to ceilings and walls.
- Fills machine with insulating mixture, positions hose, drills access hole and fills cavities or coats surfaces to prevent loss or absorption of heat and provide fire protection.
Meet our students and tutors
Anthony Robinson
Curriculum Manager for EngineeringI have vast automotive industry experience and I've had a number of job roles within the sector, including diagnostic technician and workshop controller with manufacturers, such as Honda, Toyota and Lexus. I joined West Lancashire College in 2007 and have also been part of a team of authors who revised the popular Hillier’s Fundamentals of Automotive Electronics textbook. I am a fully qualified Level 4 Hybrid and EV master technician.
Fay
Engineering StudentWithin my course, we cover many core units and in particular, Mathematics for Engineering Technicians is a personal favourite of mine. My career ambition is to become an architect, in which the Engineering course is preparing me for my next steps into Civil Engineering degrees and applying for universities.
Gareth Lloyd
Engineering LecturerI have worked at West Lancashire College since 2021. I have delivered engineering subjects such as CAD, CNC and Design to BTEC L3 Extended Diploma Full time students and also L3 Apprentices. I also delivered CAD/CAM and Engineering Project to HNC/D students. Prior to teaching, I was a time served skills toolmaker, which involved machining techniques including Milling, Turning and Cylindrical/Surface grinding. I also worked extensively on the manufacture, maintenance and modification of Power Press tools.
Grace
Engineering StudentI chose to study Engineering, as my family are very passionate about the subject and I really enjoyed learning about the topic in high school, so I wanted to continue studying whilst at West Lancs. My favourite part is the workshop, where we create a variety of projects including a Plunbob. My next steps are an Apprenticeship with an Engineering company in Wigan and once I have completed that, I would like to aim towards being a project leader or a manager.
Michael
Electrical StudentAs an Electrical student, I’ve progressed from Level 2 to Level 3, with my knowledge and understanding of the course consistently growing. I pride myself on having a great attention to detail, a deep understanding of electrical science principles and I am aiming to gain an electrical mechanical apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover.
Mike Ashcroft
Engineering LecturerI am a time served engineer with over 22 years industry experience, working, across Aerospace, Automotive, Oil and Gas and Glass manufacturing sectors. Passionate about getting students to the best possible destinations, I actively interact with local industry to create the best opportunities for our learners. I use my own broad range of experience and industry knowledge to bring learning into a real-life context, sparking interest in students and take pride in developing the next generation of Engineers
Contact our team
Upcoming events
Inclusive Learning Careers Event
West Lancashire College
Wednesday 4th October 2023
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 16th October 2023
4:30pm - 7:00pm
