More than 10,000 residents in Greater Manchester have boosted careers through Skills for Growth

Empowering Greater Manchester residents with new skills while supporting business growth 

More than 10,000 people across Greater Manchester have now completed training through the Skills for Growth programme, equipping them with the skills to move forward in their careers and helping businesses address key skills gaps.

Funded by the European Social Fund, the three-year programme is led by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in partnership with employers and training providers. Together, they’ve created targeted learning opportunities that respond directly to the needs of the local workforce and economy.

Launched at the start of the pandemic, Skills for Growth has played a vital role in the region’s recovery supporting individuals to upskill or reskill while enabling businesses to grow. The initiative is also contributing to a greener, fairer and more resilient Greater Manchester.

To date, over 10,000 people have completed courses, with training still available and fully funded. The programme has reached a diverse range of learners — over 49% were women, more than 20% came from racially minoritised communities and 17% were aged 50 or over.