Huge Milestone Achieved as Skills for Growth Reaches 10,000 Participants Success

More than 10,000 residents in Greater Manchester have gained the skills they need to progress their careers thanks to the Skills for Growth programme.

Skills for Growth is celebrating this huge achievement after being granted funding through the European Social Fund for the three-year programme. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has been using the funding to develop partnerships with businesses and training providers to create the learning opportunities needed for residents to further their careers, and for local business to fill skills gaps. 

The programme launched during the start of the pandemic. As Greater Manchester's economy rebuilds and recovers, Skills for Growth is helping to create a greener, fairer and more prosperous city-region through supporting individuals to upskill and reskill, improve productivity and drive business growth. 

There are now more than 10,000 participants to date who have completed Skills for Growth courses, with individuals urged to take advantage of the fully funded training available and access to the eLearning Platform for flexible, bitesize training options that assist with Health and Wellbeing and Compliance training. Skills for Growth has supported people from a variety of backgrounds - over 49% of learners were female, more than 20% from racially minoritised communities and 17% were over the age of 50. 

Since the programme started in 2020, 11 training providers have been commissioned to deliver a wide range of skills across Digital, Construction, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Allies in Cancer Care, Manufacturing, Logistics, Security, Green Skills, Media, Blue Light Services and other professional training services. These fully funded training options can be viewed on the GM Skills Map, Greater Manchester's dedicated portal for training. The recently launched 'ESF Fully Funded Training Courses Brochure' also offers an interactive guide to the courses available from the chosen providers. 

Janine Richardson, Programme Manager, Skills for Growth - SME Support, said: "What a phenomenal milestone to achieve, reaching 10,000 participants across the Skills for Growth programme. We're thrilled to have played our part by supporting over 7,000 employees from across a wide spectrum of ages, experience levels and sectors, covering Greater Manchester's SME landscape. The collaborative mission continues as we strive to upskill employees, improve productivity and drive business growth." 

Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, Greater Manchester's Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital, said: "I'm extremely proud Greater Manchester's Skills for Growth has reached a significant milestone. 

"We have experienced a rapid growth of demand for skilled workers from businesses in the city-region, ranging from digital to health and social care. As continuous learning and upskilling become key to the success of business and individuals, we will continue supporting employers with the most diverse, qualified and employment-ready talent to boost employment and prosperity in the city region. 

"I'd like to thank our partners and training providers for their support and the important role they have played in reaching this milestone."