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A new report released by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has highlighted to new courses and initiatives moving forward in the city-region to address skills shortages.
The report, published alongside GCSE results when many will be thinking about future career and education options, identifies the pipeline of work across Greater Manchester that is helping to bridge skills gaps identified by employers in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Greater Manchester.
The annual Progress Report forms part of GMCC’s ongoing work on the LSIP on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) and looks at how new provision planned by colleges and training providers delivers against the skills priorities of over 3,000 GM businesses. Key priority skills gaps highlighted by these employers in the LSIP included digital skills, green skills in relation to engineering and manufacturing, retrofitting, nursing and social care and leadership and management skills.
Chris Fletcher, Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and contract director for the GM LSIP, said:
“It’s been a year since our Local Skills Improvement Plan for Greater Manchester was published highlighting the skills and labour market issues employers are experiencing, and even in that short time, it’s clear that huge strides have been taken to tackle some of the skills gaps we highlighted then – information that came directly from businesses across GM. Whilst there are new courses and training provision in place now, listed in our Progress Report, we wait to see what impact this will have on businesses, individuals and our economy, and we will be monitoring this over the next phase of this project through further research, data analyses and engagement with employers in the region.”
Evidence from the Greater Manchester LSIP is also being used by Greater Manchester Combined Authority to help inform GM’s skills requirements, and, as the new integrated technical skills system instigated by GM Mayor, Andy Burnham, begins to take shape, the LSIP will play an integral part, acting as a conduit for the flow of intelligence directly from employers into the new skills system.
Joe Crolla, Principal Skills Manager for Employer Engagement & Insights at GMCA said:
“We are pleased to see the progress that has been made in the last year – the LSIP and subsequent update report is a central piece of the body of evidence that’s helping to shape the skills system for the residents and businesses of Greater Manchester. It provides insights that not only help us to make sure that the education and training offer meets business needs, but also informs our discussions with employers around what more they themselves can do to support the development of the talent pipeline that will help their businesses to thrive and deliver inclusive economic growth. We hope activity will continue to support the shift in devolved powers for Greater Manchester and Mayor’s ambitions around improving access to Technical routes like Apprenticeships and T Levels.”
Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, said:
“I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report for Greater Manchester. These reports set out progress made on meeting the skills needs of local employers. As well as being a valuable source of information for local skills deliverers, employers and stakeholders, the reports along with the LSIPs themselves, will provide important intelligence for the newly established Skills England.”