Northern Gateway inspires construction and engineering students

Construction, Building Services, and Engineering students at Bury College were recently given a unique insight into one of Greater Manchester’s most ambitious regeneration projects – the Northern Gateway – during an exciting and inspiring event held as part of their studies.

The Northern Gateway project, a joint venture between Harworth Group plc and Russell LDP, is set within the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone and will bring around 9,900 high-quality jobs to the region. The event introduced students to the scale of the development, as well as the many opportunities it could create for them as future skilled professionals.

As part of the session, students heard from key representatives of the Northern Gateway Development Vehicle (NGDV) about the vision behind the project. Covering over 210 hectares, the development will include a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing hub, alongside supporting uses such as retail, hospitality, offices, training facilities, and green public spaces.

person from northern gateway stood delivering talk

Planning Associate Director of Russel LDP, Helen Hartley, praised the development’s generation of new jobs and the benefits of collaborating with Bury College:

“Northern Gateway will deliver a new destination for jobs and skills in Greater Manchester, providing opportunities for generations to come. We really enjoyed collaborating with Bury College to help inspire young people about the range of careers that will be on offer and how they can benefit from this transformative project.”

The visit was also massively inspiring for our students, opening their eyes to the roles and positions a development like this creates.

“It’s nice to have these talks because you can learn a lot about what you can do in the future. It’s inspiring,” said Muhammad Raheem, Plumbing Level 3.

“Those opportunities could give me a lot of knowledge and experience to help develop me as a person and give me more experience in the trades.”

Opportunities close to home

The students were especially encouraged to learn that many of the job opportunities created by the project will be local.

“You don’t need to travel,” added Muhammad. “It’s important because it helps the development of Manchester, and it will help bring more business and tourists to the area. So, it’ll be a good thing to see.”

Usayd Khan, also studying Plumbing Level 3, said: “Projects like this help to inspire us because it shows the opportunities there are. The course I’m on is helping me to perform to high standards.”

The Northern Gateway will also prioritise sustainability and community, featuring biodiverse parkland, multi-modal transport hubs, and exemplar standards in sustainable construction and energy-efficient building design – themes that are increasingly relevant to the students’ future careers.

representative of northern gateway delivering a talk whilst pointing to a screen

Building brighter futures

This experience offered a valuable chance for students to explore the many professional roles that are involved in planning, constructing, and delivering such a large-scale project, from civil engineers and electricians to planners, environmental consultants, and transport specialists.

Events like these help students connect their classroom learning to real-world opportunities and highlight the wide range of career paths available in modern construction and engineering.

James Shuttleworth, Business Innovation Manager at Bury College, had this to say:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome representatives from the Northern Gateway Development team into the College to speak to our aspiring Construction and Engineering students. Hearing first-hand from professionals shaping one of the region’s biggest developments, students learned about the many roles behind major projects and discovered exciting career paths. With personal stories and expert insights, the visit inspired our future engineers and construction specialists, and clearly demonstrated how far their skills could take them.”

Well done to all the students who attended, your enthusiasm and curiosity reflect the bright future of the sector.

If you’re considering a career in construction, engineering, or building services, Bury College offers hands-on courses designed to help you succeed. With employer links, practical experience, and industry-focused teaching, your journey starts here.