Raspberry Pi Foundation chooses Greater Manchester to launch digital and AI skills certificate for young people

UK-based tech charity, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched a new Certificate in Applied Computing qualification for young people in Greater Manchester to equip them with essential digital and AI skills.

The online course for 14-19 year olds will form part of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), the city-region’s alternative to the English Baccalaureate, aimed at offering young people a clear route into technical education.

Designed for students who may not have chosen traditional computing qualifications, the course is free, self-paced, and requires no teacher marking, helping young people take ownership of their learning.  Once a stage is completed, participants receive a certificate from the Raspberry Pi Foundation to support college or job applications. 

A successful pilot involved 92 students at seven schools across Greater Manchester, and will now be rolled out to 14- and 15-year-olds across 251 schools throughout the city-region.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:?

“This new certificate from Raspberry Pi Foundation is exactly the kind of innovation we had in mind when we launched the MBacc. It gives young people real digital skills that employers are crying out for and shows Greater Manchester doing what devolution allows us to do best: responding to local need with bold, practical solutions.?“

Rachel Arthur, Chief Learning Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, said:

“We’re proud to launch our new Certificate in Applied Computing with Greater Manchester – a place that shares our belief in giving all young people the tools they need to thrive. 

“This new initiative is about unlocking opportunities. As a former computer science teacher, I know how important it is to give students hands-on, practical experience to understand technology and use it confidently. The certificate combines this knowledge with insight from local employers, to give more young people a clear pathway to access rewarding jobs – whatever their ambitions may be.”? 

The launch of the new AI and digital skills course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation comes as Greater Manchester marks end of the first year of MBacc delivery. Over the past year, schools, colleges, employers and other partners have worked together to improve access to technical education courses and work experience for 14-18-year-olds. Since July 2024, Greater Manchester has delivered: 

• Over 600 new T Level placements have been pledged, including the region’s first midwifery placements at Royal Oldham Hospital and 160 roles across the Bee Network in transport, engineering and project support, building on the great work already being delivered by colleges in Greater Manchester. 
• Beeline, a digital careers tool, has helped over 4,000 young people explore real jobs and salaries across seven growth sectors.? 
• MBacc pilot projects in 26 schools, creating a line of sight to Greater Manchester’s thriving economy through the curriculum and helping more students understand the range of technical pathways available. 
• A new Educator Toolkit has been co-designed with teachers to support future rollout. 
• Greater Manchester was chosen to pilot equalex, a new inclusive work experience programme led by the Careers & Enterprise Company, involving 330 students across 11 schools. 

Andy Burnham continued:

“We’ve made huge progress in just one year, thanks to the commitment of our schools, colleges and employers. The Growth Company has done outstanding work to drive up T Level placements across the city region, and Raspberry Pi Foundation’s contribution shows the power of working together to build something better.? 

“Now we’re asking more employers to get involved. Together we can show the country what a future-focused technical education system looks like and give every young person in Greater Manchester a clear path to a good job.”