Mechanics’ Institutes and Technical Schools, 1824–1956
- Introduction
- Manchester Mechanics’ Institution
- Manchester Technical School
- The Manchester Municipal College of Technology
- Discussion Points
- Additional Resources
Introduction
One of Manchester’s challenges as an industrial city was to provide educational opportunities for its growing working class population. In the nineteenth century, the focus was on providing a primary education which achieved basic literacy and numeracy. By the late-Victorian period, there was a growing interest in providing vocational education to provide more enhanced skills for a working career.
There were several reasons for this; workers were thought to need new technical skills and knowledge which could not be provided adequately at the workplace alone. In addition, education was considered as an appropriate avenue for the self-improving workman, and there were also concerns that the British economy was beginning to lag competitors like the USA and Germany, which had a greater respect for technical education.
Manchester Mechanics’ Institution
The interest in vocational education in Manchester had been present from the earliest period of industrialisation. In 1824, a group of businessmen established the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution (MMI), which was modelled on a similar body in London (now known as Birkbeck College). The Institution’s objective was to offer technical instruction, mainly in mechanics and chemistry. It was hoped this would encourage young workmen to use this knowledge to improve their lives.
The MMI became the largest mechanics’ institute outside of London, and many industrial towns followed its example. In 1827, the Institution had good facilities: a lecture theatre which could hold a thousand student, and an extensive library. However, it was clear by the 1840s that it was not meeting its original objectives.
Most students at the Institution were drawn from Manchester’s service sector of clerks and shopworkers, and they were less interested in applied sciences. Instead, a more traditional curriculum prevailed. The MMI did allow women students were to attend day classes from 1845, albeit on a modest scale. Yet by the 1870s the Institution was languishing, due to competition from secondary schools and because it lacked the funds to invest in up-to-date vocational education.
Manchester Technical School
The decline of the Institution coincided with new csoncern about Britain’s industrial competitiveness. Critics alleged that countries like Germany, Switzerland and the USA, which had better technical education, enjoyed growing economic advantages. The MMI was one of the first to respond to this challenge under the leadership of its secretary, J H Reynolds (1842–1927).
Reynolds believed that technical and vocational education would become more important as occupations became more complex. Technical schools would need more sophisticated laboratories and workshops, and this would more investment. After renaming the Mechanics Institution, the Manchester Technical School and Mechanics’ Institution in 1883, Reynolds launched a new appeal for money.
Support came from the legacy of the Manchester industrialist, Joseph Whitworth (Whitworth’s trustees briefly took over the Institution). However, the key development was the Technical Instruction Act, 1889, which empowered local councils to use the rates to support technical education. Manchester Council was enthusiastic about technical education and took over the School, renaming it the Manchester Municipal Technical School (it became the College of Technology in 1918).
With additional funding, the School reopened in new premises at Whitworth St/Sackville St. It was now one of the UK’s most advanced technical schools, with well-equipped laboratories and workshops. The School was particularly known for its engineering courses (mechanical, civil, electrical, municipal and chemical), and for textile-related subjects — textile chemistry and engineering. The school had its own brewery (for teaching purposes) and ran courses in baking, plumbing, photography and telegraphy. It was attended by male and female students, mostly in the 16–20 age range; most came for evening classes, but some studied by day-release.
Manchester Council continued to run the College of Technology until 1956.
The Manchester Municipal College of Technology
In 1905, the School reached an arrangement with the University of Manchester to provide university-level courses. A new Faculty of Technology was established and many of the College’s teaching staff were recognised as university teachers. Students at the Faculty were full members of the University, but they were a minority of the School’s student body, most of whom continued to study vocational subjects.
During the inter-war period, the College commissioned a major new extension, although this did not open until the mid-1950s. As the College was funded mainly by Manchester ratepayers, it had difficulties in expanding provision for its wide range of students.
During the Second World War, there was a renewed debate over the provision of technical education. The Percy Report of 1945 and Barlow Report of 1946 both recommended a major investment in university-level science and technology.
Due to its existing university links, the College of Technology was seen as well-placed to contribute to this. Vivian Bowden, who was appointed Principal of the College in 1953, firmly believed in the technological university idea. As a result, a charter was granted to the Manchester College of Science and Technology in 1955 and Manchester City Council’s involvement in the College ceased the following year.
Discussion Points
Why was the Mechanics’ Institution unable to live up to the aims of its original founders?
Why was there a revival of interest in technical education in late Victorian Manchester?
How far was there a conflict of interest in the College of Technology’s aims to support both vocational and university-level technological education?
Additional Resources
D. C. L. Cardwell ed., Artisan to Graduate: essays to commemorate the foundation in 1824 of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution(Manchester 1974)
Mabel Tylecote, The Mechanics’ Institutes of Lancashire and Yorkshire before 1851 (Manchester 1957)
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