(a Manchester-based labour market specialist writes). There are definite pros and cons - it's not really clear that Manchester has a particularly unique labour market in terms of needing specialist skills that can't be acquired through normal routes, but at the same time, no two urban labour markets in the UK are alike and Manchester's got a particular mix of business services and creative industry that's a little bit different to other cities.
One thing that is clear is that at the moment, young people, including university graduates, from the north west are a lot more likely to work in Manchester than in other cities, so a local qualification that is properly tailored to the local labour market would, at least in theory, allow a foot in the door to the local jobs market, after which a worker could take their work experience elsewhere. So I'm not too concerned about that *as long as the qualifications are properly accredited*.
What is more difficult is being really sure about what quals are specifically needed here, and to keep them refreshed as skills needs change. It's hard enough to get really good quality data about skills needs and labour market gaps (the data that is currently used is only updated every 2 years as it's a big effort to collect), and we don't currently have a really good system for working out which skills are imparted by which courses, because what we mean by 'skills' depends on who is asking and requesting - do we mean we need more electricians (vocational training) or do we need more people who are able communicators (a different form of training requiring a different approach) etc etc. I know the Mayor has clever people working on this, but the lead time to set up and deliver courses when requirements change constantly is not zero. I'm interested to see how they handle it.
You say that there was pollution in the section of the River Tame passing through Greater Manchester.
The whole of the River Tame is within GM, mostly in Oldham and Tameside Boroughs.
Hey Steve - that's my slip, thanks for flagging.
You were right Jack. Per Wikipedia the River Tame neither rises nor finishes in Greater Manchester.
The one wholly in Greater Manchester rises on Denshaw Moor and joins with the Goyt in Stockport to form the Mersey.
Not to be confused with the Tame in the West Midlands.
My only concern with MBacc - could it limit students career opportunities to GM region and needs of a select number of employers?
(a Manchester-based labour market specialist writes). There are definite pros and cons - it's not really clear that Manchester has a particularly unique labour market in terms of needing specialist skills that can't be acquired through normal routes, but at the same time, no two urban labour markets in the UK are alike and Manchester's got a particular mix of business services and creative industry that's a little bit different to other cities.
One thing that is clear is that at the moment, young people, including university graduates, from the north west are a lot more likely to work in Manchester than in other cities, so a local qualification that is properly tailored to the local labour market would, at least in theory, allow a foot in the door to the local jobs market, after which a worker could take their work experience elsewhere. So I'm not too concerned about that *as long as the qualifications are properly accredited*.
What is more difficult is being really sure about what quals are specifically needed here, and to keep them refreshed as skills needs change. It's hard enough to get really good quality data about skills needs and labour market gaps (the data that is currently used is only updated every 2 years as it's a big effort to collect), and we don't currently have a really good system for working out which skills are imparted by which courses, because what we mean by 'skills' depends on who is asking and requesting - do we mean we need more electricians (vocational training) or do we need more people who are able communicators (a different form of training requiring a different approach) etc etc. I know the Mayor has clever people working on this, but the lead time to set up and deliver courses when requirements change constantly is not zero. I'm interested to see how they handle it.