ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
UNIVERSITY COURSES
The engineering sector is huge and diverse; it covers areas such as energy and sustainable resources, aerospace, construction, equipment design, defence, telecommunications, the automotive industry, mechanical and civil engineering, transport and many more. Job prospects for qualified engineers are very good, both nationally and internationally.
The College is currently developing a Foundation Degree in Engineering and Management, designed for those already working in an Engineering setting to pursue promotion, particularly managerial roles.
Our Construction foundation degree and HNC is offered in partnership with the University of Kent and delivered at our Ashford campus. The programme is also due to be delivered at our Tonbridge campus from September 2011 (subject to validation). These courses provide a path to professional status in the construction industry. Successful completion may qualify you for membership of professional bodies in the construction industry.
COLLEGE BUILDING PROJECTS
The College has recently completed a major capital build project at Tonbridge and is just about to begin a new major building project in the centre of Ashford. Students can get involved in campus tours and Galliford Try offered a number of work placements to students on construction programmes based at Tonbridge. In May 2011, the College hosted a conference for Construction students at Tonbridge with fantastic sessions lead by staff from Galliford Try and Davis Langdon.
OUR STUDENTS
James left school with 11 GCSEs and A Levels in maths and economics. His father was an engineer at the Dungeness power station and James decided that engineering could also be a very good career for him.
James says: "I really enjoyed this course, there is lots of hard work but if you put in the effort you get the reward. I especially found it useful to become competent using machinery. I have learnt mechanical, electrical and maintenance engineering but it is mechanical engineering I want to pursue. I have applied for an apprenticeship with Network Rail and have already passed my assessment test at Watford. Now I am waiting for my interview."
JAMES
My employer sponsored me to come to K College and do Architectural Design as I wanted to expand my knowledge in the construction industry whilst doing something I enjoyed. The course I chose was the only one I saw in Kent that offers a diverse learning environment and allows me to select which pathway in building studies that I would prefer to take. I’m really enjoying the course as it covers so many aspects of construction and gives us the opportunity to have an active involvement in a real development. I have found it really useful that the lecturers are experienced in the industry they teach and they are always happy to give extra help if you need it.
I feel that doing a Foundation Degree gives me a platform to prepare for university if I wished to take my education further. I hope that after completing the foundation degree I will have a more in-depth knowledge in construction so I can apply it in my current job and have the option to go to university if I so wish.