What is the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing?

Skills Bootcamps in Engineering and Manufacturing is a six-week, career-focused upskilling programme designed for adults who want to develop their existing engineering and manufacturing knowledge and gain new practical skills for the workplace.

The Skills Bootcamp has been developed around the skills employers need across modern engineering and manufacturing environments. You’ll develop your knowledge of safe working practices, manufacturing tooling, machine setup and operation, programming techniques, measuring and inspection.

The programme is particularly suitable if you want to take on new roles or responsibilities, expand your existing skill set or improve your career progression opportunities.

Skills Bootcamps can also benefit businesses by helping you develop the skills of your existing workforce and increase the range of tasks employees can undertake.

Who should study the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing?

This Skills Bootcamp is designed for adults who already have some knowledge or experience of engineering or manufacturing and want to develop additional workplace skills.

You should:

Be aged 19 or over.
Have the ability to work at Level 2 or Level 3.
Have an interest in developing your engineering and manufacturing skills.
Be looking to take on new roles, duties or responsibilities within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

The programme is suitable for people looking to upskill and develop their existing capabilities rather than those starting engineering or manufacturing from scratch.

Please note: If you have any licence conditions stating that you must not have unsupervised contact with under-18s, your application cannot be processed or accepted. The Skills Bootcamp is delivered on a site where students under 18 are present.

What will you learn on the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing?

The Skills Bootcamp focuses on practical, workplace-ready skills that can help you work more effectively and safely in an engineering manufacturing environment.

You’ll develop skills and knowledge in:

Safe working practices and workplace safety procedures.
Personal protective equipment (PPE).
Manufacturing tooling.
Work-holding selection.
Machine setup and operation.
Manufacturing programming techniques.
Improving productivity and efficiency.
Measuring and inspection.
Using precision measuring instruments.
Quality assurance.
Working to engineering specifications and tolerances.
Identifying quality issues and production problems.
Problem solving and attention to detail.

You’ll develop the confidence and practical capability to operate manufacturing equipment, understand production processes and carry out accurate quality inspections.

Why study the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing?

Engineering and manufacturing are important parts of the regional economy, with strong demand for people with practical technical skills.

In the last year, there were 2,345 unique job postings from nearly 800 employers seeking engineering technicians and manufacturing operatives across the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) region.

The Skills Bootcamp has been designed to respond to this demand by focusing on the practical skills employers value, including machinery operation, manufacturing processes, quality inspection, problem solving and safe working practices.

Manufacturing also provides strong earning potential, with average annual earnings of around £39,651 in the sector.

By developing additional engineering and manufacturing skills, you can improve your ability to take on new responsibilities, support productivity and progress your career.

What could I do after completing the Skills Bootcamp?

The Skills Bootcamp can support career progression within engineering and manufacturing by helping you develop additional technical and workplace skills.

You could also:

Get a new job or apprenticeship.
Progress in your current engineering or manufacturing role.
Take on new duties or responsibilities.
Develop your manufacturing and engineering skills further.
Find new business opportunities if you’re self-employed.

The skills you develop could support progression into areas such as manufacturing operations, engineering production, machine operation, quality inspection and manufacturing processes.

How long is the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing?

The Skills Bootcamp takes six weeks to complete.

When does the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing start?

The next Skills Bootcamp starts in October and December 2026.

When do classes take place?

The Skills Bootcamp offers flexible delivery to suit your business needs.

This makes the programme suitable for businesses looking to develop the skills of their existing workforce while minimising disruption to normal working arrangements.

Where does the Skills Bootcamp in Engineering and Manufacturing take place?

The Skills Bootcamp takes place at the Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

The centre provides a specialist engineering and manufacturing learning environment where you can develop practical, industry-relevant skills.

How much do Skills Bootcamps cost?

Skills Bootcamps cost £2,500 per learner, with discounted rates available for employers depending on the size of your business:

Large employers: £750 per learner
Small and medium-sized employers (SMEs): £250 per learner

If you’re unsure which rate applies to your business, contact our enquiries team on 0808 100 3626.

How is the Skills Bootcamp delivered?

The Skills Bootcamp is delivered over six weeks, with flexible arrangements designed to suit business needs.

The programme combines practical skills development with technical knowledge covering manufacturing equipment, tooling, machine operation, programming, measuring and quality inspection.

The training has been developed around employer requirements, helping you develop the practical skills and confidence needed to take on new tasks and responsibilities within an engineering manufacturing environment.

How do I apply for a Skills Bootcamp?

Applying is easy. Simply click the Register your interest button in the Course Information section of this page.

A member of our team will contact you to:

Provide more information about the Skills Bootcamp.
Confirm your eligibility and existing skills.
Discuss the flexible delivery options.
Guide you through the enrolment process.

If you have questions about eligibility, call our enquiries team on 0808 100 3626.

Adult learning support and guidance

Starting something new can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. From careers guidance to mental health and wellbeing, we’re here to support you before you apply and throughout your time with us.
Visit our adult support page

Entry requirements
- Be aged 19 or over.
- Have the ability to work at Level 2 or Level 3.
- Have an interest in developing your engineering and manufacturing skills.
- Be looking to take on new roles, duties or responsibilities within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
Careers

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.