new report published today by the Social Mobility Commission outlines how the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is partnering with local people, employers and institutions to improve opportunity access in the region. In Greater Manchester, education pathways have been introduced to better align secondary education with local jobs, and travel infrastructure has been upgraded, allowing improved access from nearby towns to city hubs.
The report, “Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions”, demonstrates how practical, locally-led decisions can help to unlock opportunity for millions of people across the UK. The findings draw on a year of roundtables with local leaders from multiple sectors and regions, visits to projects across the country, and conversations with people working to increase opportunity in their communities. Included in the report is the introduction of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) – a new technical education pathway created to better align education with the local economy – and the now established Bee Network, which has improved access to the city of Manchester.
With the number of young people who are ‘NEET’ now exceeding 1 million, and recent data showing that over 639,000 recent graduates are now claiming benefits, the Commission’s new report “Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions” highlights the pivotal role of local knowledge in addressing the issues at the heart of Britain’s social mobility problem.
These conversations revealed four high-potential themes that local leaders consistently identified. These include: ensuring young people get to experience the world of work before leaving school; improving the transport links that help people reach jobs and training; better supporting people who are stuck in long-term economic inactivity; and helping people to feel pride and a sense of belonging in their local community. “
Local leaders told the Commission that young people need stronger access to the world of work throughout secondary education. Without it, they struggle to understand the labour market, the skills employers value, or the full range of routes available — whether vocational, technical or academic. To address this, the Commission is encouraging local government to strengthen collaboration between FE colleges and employers, ensure high-quality, locally relevant careers advice, and expand access to work experience or career days that reflect the needs of the local economy.
In Manchester, the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) is a new technical education pathway created to better align education with the local economy. MBacc students study essential GCSEs and in addition to core subjects, and can access one of seven specialised career gateways: Health and Social Care; Digital and Technology; Engineering and Manufacturing; Construction and the Green Economy; Financial and Professional Services; Education and Early Years; and Creative, Culture, and Sport.
“Greater Manchester is showing what can be achieved when devolved authorities are given the powers and resources to open up opportunities for residents and tackle inequality. This report endorses our place-based and place-first approach, recognising that good growth comes from the bottom up, not top down.” said Andy Burnham adding
“Devolution has given us the ability to introduce better systems of physical and social mobility, and link education and transport with housing and planning. Through the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate we are aligning our technical education system with the needs of the local economy to create more opportunities for young people, and by integrating our public transport system under the Bee Network, we’ve made moving around Greater Manchester easier, cheaper and more accessible for everyone.”
