Social takeover month – spotlight on The Manchester College

The UK Government tells us that reforming the skills system is one of the most important challenges we face as a country; getting it right will be crucial to UK prosperity, and to the life chances of millions of people. What is sometimes less understood is that one of the most important planks towards this inclusive vision for employment lies with the Further Education sector - which recent figures show is the education choice at 16+ for 73% of the country’s most disadvantaged young people. Within Greater Manchester The Manchester College sits at the heart of education and career progression for many of the city’s most disadvantaged wards, as well as providing the broad based digital creative curriculum which covers all bases of the Manchester’s fast growing creative and digital economy.

With generous support and long-term funding from our partner Comino Foundation, our Greater Manchester team has been working in partnership with The Manchester College on a long-term plan to develop landmark creative industries employer engagement practice and to develop sustainable creative industries employer links. It’s been a hugely beneficial two-way street which has given us invaluable insights on best practice for impactful engagement and provided the college with support for existing UAL and BTEC Level 3 Programmes and the rapidly approaching curriculum development needed for T Levels.

“Working with you has been phenomenal. Without the Ideas Foundation our students wouldn’t be working so closely with employers. The outcomes for the learning have included improved industry knowledge, real world insights, encouragement, CV boosters, enrichment and holiday opportunities, supported placements, competitions and employability support.”
Lisa O’Loughlin, Principal, Manchester College.