It’s the next step in the devolution programme for the region and according to Andy Burnham,it could be a game changer for the future of education and skills
Greater Manchester plans to be the first area of the country to alighn tertiary education to the needs of the business community
Andy Burnham, alongside business and education leaders, have written to Government to restate their ambitious plans to transform Greater Manchester into the UK’s leading technical education city-region
The proposals outlined in the letter include ambitions for Greater Manchester to become the first place in the country to develop an integrated skills system, giving young people a clear line of sight to available opportunities. The already existing GMACS website would become the hub for all young learners on the technical route, with the aim of giving all young people in Greater Manchester the choice of three clear routes of post-16 education: A-levels, T-levels or apprenticeships.
There are also plans to work with employers in making sure that Greater Manchester’s skills system better meets their needs, as well as the ability to create targeted employment support for unemployed people, or those at risk of falling out of work.
At the moment when teenagers reach the age of 16,they have three routes into further education,A-levels,Technical Levels or Apprenticeships
Clive Memmott, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has added his signature to the letter and said that country has an endemic problem.While 38 per cent get degrees the figures for going into technical qualifications are far lower.
Spending on in house training is failing and the country has critical shortages in certain skills.Health and care is the obvious one says Memmott with a nation wide shortage estimated at around 160,000 with as many as 20,000 alone in the region
Employers continue to highlight a lack of technical skills within Greater Manchester’s workforce required to build their businesses. With an integrated work and skills system, we can create a system that is resilient and flexible, adapting to meet employers’ needs in the rapidly changing 21stcentury world of work.
“We want to make sure that businesses want to invest and create good jobs in Greater Manchester, and that our residents have the best chance to access those new opportunities across the city-region. Our devolution proposals would play a big part in creating opportunity, addressing skills shortages and building Greater Manchester’s economy.”
plans outlined in the letter include ensuring Greater Manchester can provide advanced and higher technical skills to meet the city-region’s economic needs.
This includes an ambitious T-Level offer and Apprenticeships that provide pathways into higher technical qualifications.
Secondly to ensure that employers are at the heart of creating and investing in a talented, resilient city-region – Employers will have access to – and can actively contribute to – a system that is flexible, resilient and adaptable, and which meets their needs in the rapidly changing 21stcentury world of work.
And finally that Greater Manchester advances equality and allows residents to reach their potential – This includes targeted support for those furthest away from the labour market, at risk of falling out of work, or who are economically inactive
As Andy Burnham concluded
