Developed by Manchester City Council, Manchester Life, Ryder Architecture, and Gateshead College.
PlanBEE Manchester is a unique, industry driven higher apprenticeship programme in Design, Construction and Management.
It prepares you for a career in building design and construction with a strong emphasis on digital skills and collaborative working.
The programme builds on both the successful M-Futures Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management and the national award-winning PlanBEE programme which has been running successfully in the North East for 8 years.
By bringing together the two programmes, PlanBEE Manchester provides a unique training opportunity and excellent career prospects.
From the moment you join, you’ll be a valued member of the team, working for some of the city’s leading employers and we’ll make sure your work is well rewarded. We won’t just train you for a well-paid career; we’ll pay you a competitive salary of circa £22+k from day one.
You’ll also benefit from a pension plan and a generous holiday entitlement every year.
You’ll be working on a range of projects across the City of Manchester and wider region including:
The programme will give you a flavour of the wide variety of roles in the industry and you’ll rotate around different partners.
You will complete a Higher Apprenticeship programme in Design, Construction and Management, underpinned by HNC/D, providing a pathway to progression at a wide range of universities.
The programme is supported by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). You’ll spend one day a week studying, developing your knowledge in building design and performance through a combination of lectures, tutorials, field work and site visits.
There are five areas of study with each module ending in an integrated team-based project:
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be developing a range of skills and behaviours which are key to the various roles in the construction sector.
You’ll gain knowledge in building design, design process, construction technology, digital skills, health and safety and building performance alongside transferable skills like team working, leadership, innovation and communication.
The programme lasts 2 years and offers a real alternative to full-time university. It will help you forge careers in a variety of roles which will change and evolve as your career progresses.
This programme is open to anyone aged 18 and over with a passion for design, construction and leadership.
It’s not for the faint hearted; the pace will be fast and you will be expected to excel in your development so you can progress to the next stage.
You should have already completed GCSE (Level 2) and A Level (or equivalent Level 3) study and eligible to apply for university level study in the UK.
You need 3 A Levels at grade C and above or a BTEC Extended Diploma (averaging merits/distinctions), or the equivalent of 96 UCAS points plus GCSE Maths, Science and English at grade 4 (C) or above.
Beyond your academic qualifications, we’ll be looking for evidence that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about developing a career in construction – what are your favourite buildings or structure, and why?
You’ll be analytical, methodical and good at solving problems, as well as articulate, driven and a fast learner.
You must also be living in a Manchester City Council postcode or attend a Manchester school or college to apply for the programme.
To join PlanBEE you must be eligible to live and work in the UK before applying.
If you have already completed a degree level programme you will not be eligible to join PlanBEE.
If you’re interested in joining the programme in September 2025, please click here and we’ll be in touch when applications open in the autumn.