Apprenticeship and careers service supports over 100,000 young people

Over 100,000 young people across the city-region have now used the Greater Manchester Apprenticeship and Career Service (GMACS) to find opportunities, access resources and apply for apprenticeship roles.

The service launched over 18 months ago to provide a one-stop shop for young people to search and apply directly for apprenticeship opportunities with the region’s businesses. The GMACS website also provides careers advice, skill-building workshops and a personality quiz designed to give people an idea of their compatibility with certain jobs. Since its creation, the platform has grown considerably to incorporate the concerns raised by young people through the Young Person’s Guarantee such as transitions into work and training, health and wellbeing, digital connectivity, transport safety and concerns around widening inequalities.

Over 90 schools and colleges are signed up with GMACS, where students are able to create a ‘Pupil Portfolio’ CV, monitor apprenticeship applications, use a career matchmaking tool and much more.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: 

We know that our young people have sacrificed a lot over the last 18 months, which is why GMACS is more important than ever. GMACS is a brilliant platform giving Greater Manchester’s young people a clear line of sight to their futures and careers. It is a one-stop shop for 11-30 year olds to explore their careers and search and apply for opportunities with businesses and colleges.

“With 100,000 users, GMACS is growing all the time. Our next step is to invite GM’s businesses and employers to register at least five job-related opportunities for young people on GMACS and give users a flavour of what’s on offer in the city-region.

“We’ve got young people growing up feeling they can’t work for these organisations, this has to change.”

With over 100,000 young people now having accessed the service, businesses across Greater Manchester are next week encouraged to attend a virtual ‘GMCA Pledge 5’ event to learn more about the opportunities they can offer to young people and pledge their involvement to help support youth employment following the pandemic.