Manchester Combined Authority

Marie-Claire Daly, Principal of Culture and Creative Policy, gave an overview of initiatives from Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Greater Manchester has increased the number of and level of investment in local organisations (3-year period) as part of their cultural strategy ‘Grown in Greater Manchester. Known Around the World’ (2019-2024). Currently, 60-70% of funded organisations are delivering formal education and soft-skills as part of their agreements including Brighter Sounds and Factory International. Now the combined authority is looking to make culture and creative skills more central to its wider skills programmes and particularly as it goes through devolution.  

The Greater Manchester Strategy (2021-2031) is the core strategy for the area with an ambition for an integrated skills and employment ecosystem. It includes existing and new initiatives such as the Good Employment Charter, GMACS (apprenticeship and career service) and the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) for technical education pathways.

The MBacc recognises that only around 30% of young people in Great Manchester currently go into higher education and makes provision for alternative opportunities and routes. It takes an evidence-led approach drawing on the LSIP and local observatory to address skills gaps and sustain core occupations and industries. This includes creative design, drama and music.