Greater Manchester Mayor champions technical education during visit to City Campus Manchester
Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig visited City Campus Manchester last week to meet students receiving their Level 3 results and see first-hand how technical education is helping young people across the city-region take their next steps into higher education, apprenticeships and careers.
During the visit, the Mayor was given a tour of the campus by LTE Group CEO John Thornhill, meeting students across a range of technical and vocational areas and hearing directly about their experiences and future ambitions.
The visit took place on Level 3 Results Day, a key moment for thousands of young people across Greater Manchester as they received the outcomes of their T Levels, BTECs and other technical qualifications.
The results for The Manchester College showed strong improvements on high grade achievement for its T Level cohort, with 74% walking away with a Merit or above and 30% of students achieving a distinction or higher, reflecting the high level of attainment across these industry-focused qualifications.
Mayor Bev Craig’s visit to City Campus Manchester underlined the important role that further education and technical education play in Greater Manchester’s wider skills system, helping to open up opportunity for young people while creating a pipeline of talent for employers.
At the campus in the heart of the city, students benefit from industry-standard learning environments in subject areas such as Computing & Digital, Creative Industries and Hospitality & Catering, designed to reflect the realities of the workplace. This helps them to develop the practical skills and professional behaviours needed to progress into careers or higher study in areas such as AI and cybersecurity.
Reflecting on her visit, Mayor Bev Craig said: “We've seen the important role that work placements can play. I was talking to some young people that are either going to go straight onto their apprenticeship or choosing to go to university, and the thing that shone through for me was the confidence and the ambition that they had, and that's a sign of what you get here at The Manchester College.
The big focus that we've had in the region around T Levels and getting employers on board has meant that we've started to see better quality placements and more depth.
"The number of learners that are doing a great placement as part of the T Level, and then they get an apprenticeship with that company afterwards, just shows the importance of those pathways.
“I want to build a city region where everyone knows that, be it technical, be it vocational, be it academic, there is a route through to success and they'll be supported along that journey.”
John Thornhill, Chief Executive Officer of LTE Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome Bev in her new role as Mayor to City Campus Manchester on such an important day for our students. Technical education has a vital role to play in Greater Manchester’s future.
Our technical offer is linked to the Local Skills Improvement Plan and supports students to gain the skills needed to secure a good job in the future, while also helping employers access the skilled talent they need to thrive.
“Today was a chance to celebrate the excellent achievements of our students, but also to champion the wider value of technical education in creating opportunity, raising aspirations and supporting the economic success of our region.”
For students receiving their results, it was an important moment to reflect on their hard work and look ahead to the next chapter, whether that is progressing to university, starting an apprenticeship or moving into employment.