- MBacc Modern Work Experience supports the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate ambition to give every young person a clear line of sight to good jobs in the city region’s growing economy.
- Employers can create meaningful experiences of the workplace through workplace visits, virtual sessions, employer-led projects and targeted work experience opportunities.
Young people aged 11 to 16 across Greater Manchester will be able to build up to 10 days of meaningful workplace experience during secondary school, through MBacc Modern Work Experience. It forms part of the wider Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), supporting the city region’s ambition to give every young person a clear line of sight to good jobs locally
A new employer engagement campaign, delivered by the Growth Company on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), will work with businesses and local partners across Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs to create thousands of opportunities, helping young people explore careers, develop skills and make informed choices about their future.
The campaign aims to secure commitments from 300 employers across all 10 boroughs, bringing together businesses of all sizes and sectors to reflect the diversity of Greater Manchester’s economy and future growth industries. Building on years of collaboration between employers, education providers and partners, it will continue to remove practical barriers to employer engagement and make it easier for businesses to support young people through meaningful workplace experiences.
Employers can support the programme through workplace visits, virtual insight sessions, employer-led projects, Meet Your Future activities and targeted work experience placements. These experiences will help young people build confidence, explore career options and gain a better understanding of the world of work.
Making opportunities inclusive and accessible will be a key focus. This includes supporting young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those who may face additional barriers to taking part, so young people from all backgrounds can benefit.
The Growth Company already works with GMCA on a range of employment, skills and business programmes, including support for T Level industry placements. This campaign builds on Greater Manchester's strong track record of working with employers to create meaningful opportunities for young people, including securing more than 1,000 T Level industry placement pledges, alongside the excellent work of colleges across the city region.
Modern Work Experience is a national approach, supported by The Careers and Enterprise company, giving young people access to a range of high quality workplace experiences throughout secondary schools. It supports the government’s ambition for young people to build up around 50 hours work experience by Year 11.
In Greater Manchester, this forms part of the MBacc, linking workplace experiences to the seven MBacc gateways and the sectors that are growing across the city region. This gives young people a clearer line of sight to local jobs and training, while strengthening the links between education and employers.
Greater Manchester also plans to extend Our Pass from January 2027, giving 11 to 16-year-olds free bus travel on Bee Network buses, building on the existing offer for 16 to 18 –year-olds. This will make it easier for young people to access opportunities across the city region, including workplace visits and work experience placements.
Every young person in Greater Manchester should have the chance to see what the world of work is really like, understand the opportunities open to them and feel confident about what comes next.
MBacc Modern Work Experience will bring young people and employers together earlier, helping them explore different careers and see clear routes into further education, training, apprenticeships, T Levels and good jobs.
But we do this without our businesses. I want employers of every size, in every borough, to get involved and help us create thousands of opportunities for the next generation that allow them to use all their talents and ambition. It’s another step towards making sure no young person in Greater Manchester is left behind.
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester
We all know a young person who is at cross-roads and trying to work out what comes next. but the world of work is evolving faster and the advice available to them doesn't always reflect the realities on the ground. The challenge is giving young people the most relevant insights and information into today's careers and opportunities.
That's why the MBacc Modern Work Experience initiative is so important. It bridges that gap by connecting young people directly with employers, and by tightening the links between education and industry, we're creating clearer pathways into technical education, T Levels and future employment, whilst also helping employers build the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
Dawn Duggan, Head of Programmes and Initiatives, GM Business Growth Hub
Businesses of all sizes and sectors are encouraged to get involved and help inspire Greater Manchester's future talent. Opportunities can be tailored to suit individual organisations and may include virtual sessions, workplace visits and project-based activities.
Employers interested in supporting MBacc Modern Work Experience can find out more and register their interest online, For more information, visit: MBacc Modern Work Experience | The Growth Company.
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
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Businesses of all sizes and sectors are encouraged to get involved and help inspire Greater Manchester's future talent. Opportunities can be tailored to suit individual organisations and may include virtual sessions, workplace visits and project-based activities.
Employers interested in supporting MBacc Modern Work Experience can find out more and register their interest online, For more information, visit: MBacc Modern Work Experience | The Growth Company.
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