Employer Integration Board holds first meeting as part of Greater Manchester’s technical education plans

A new Employer Integration Board has met for the first time as part of the city-region’s ambitions for technical education, work and skills.

The Board is comprised of representatives from 13 major employers across seven key industries in the city-region, including the likes of Factory International, EY, Booking.com and Stockport-based manufacturer Nexperia. It is co-chaired by Clive Memmott OBE, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and Lou Cordwell, who is also chair of Greater Manchester’s Business Board (formerly GM LEP).

The new board brings together businesses committed to sharing sector insight with a view to changing the local skills system so future talent pipelines and their abilities are reflective of the local labour market.

The first meeting of the Employer Integration Board was also attended by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and took place on 11th December. The inaugural meeting explored how businesses could support the development of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate and raise the prestige of technical and vocational education.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“It was really motivating to see the commitment and drive around the room. There was a real hunger to forge change and an excitement to be part of something so pioneering.

“We’ve received overwhelming support from the business community around our technical education ambitions with many business leaders wanting to be in the front seat driving this forward.

“The quality of applications to the board was impressive and the inclusive nature of this work means that all businesses whether selected to sit on the board at this time or not, can still share their expertise and champion the importance of vocational qualifications.

“The board is intended to be a responsive catalyst for new and exciting opportunities and will be led by businesses in order to plug gaps and tackle challenges they’re feeling in their industries. It will also connect young people with real-time workplace experience so they can make informed decisions about what steps to take towards their future.”