Mayor of Greater Manchester praises businesses coming forward to support his vision for technical education

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has praised sixty businesses coming forward to support his vision for technical education in the city-region at a business breakfast today [26 Sept 2023].

Big names include Microsoft, Siemens, Kraft Heinz, Deloitte, Barclays, Ernst and Young, BBC, ITV and Autotrader who attended the event. They were joined by employers from the world of construction and green economy, education, culture, manufacturing and engineering.

These businesses have agreed to be part of a new network of employers to drive forward Greater Manchester’s ambition to create a technical education city-region and galvanise industry to commit to take action.

Seven leaders will be appointed to form an Employer Integration Board who will use insights from seven key sectors to develop more technical education opportunities for young people in Greater Manchester. The sectors are:

Manufacturing and Engineering Financial and Professional Digital and Technology Creative, Culture and Sport Construction and Green Economy Education and Early Years Health and Social Care

Those businesses that have pledged their support but have not been selected to sit on the overarching Employers Integration Board will automatically form an Employer Supporters Action Network, which will help the Board to create forward change through information sharing as well as identifying challenges and opportunities.

As part of the ambition to make Greater Manchester a technical education city-region, back in May the Mayor announced plans to create two equal pathways for young people when they make their GCSE choices – one academic and one focussed on technical careers – and with the ability to move between those pathways.

As part of this, the Mayor has proposed the idea of a Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) for technical education, which would sit alongside the existing clear pathway for those wanting to pursue a university education.

The MBacc, which will launch in September 2024 with a pilot programme, will guide students towards subjects which will maximise their chances of getting a good job in our growing regional economy, such as in Engineering, Computer Science or the creative subjects.

Following the initial announcement, BMG Research carried out a survey of 975 residents with school age children in Greater Manchester to test what they thought of the proposals and they found that three in five are supportive of the plans. GMCA also carried out a public consultation which found that 90 percent of the respondents strongly back the proposals.

As part of the proposals, Greater Manchester’s Apprenticeship and Careers Service (GMACS) will also be enhanced to increase access to technical education qualifications and opportunities as well as a wider package of support. It will sit alongside the UCAS system for those pursuing a university route.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’m delighted that so many big name employers all with a base in Greater Manchester - have stepped up to lead from the front in championing the value of technical education, get involved in developing the curriculum, and crucially, help provide training opportunities and jobs.

“I’m also pleased to see employers from a diverse range of sectors get involved from health, education, manufacturing to banking. It shows just how much opportunity is out there and the fact that so many parents and carers and the public in general back our proposals is heartening.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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