Landmark moment for technical education in Greater Manchester as employers pledge 1000 new industry placements
Top employers have backed the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) by pledging more than 1000 new T Level placements across the city region.
This landmark moment comes weeks after the Government also backed the MBacc, our pioneering plan to transform technical education.
Greater Manchester leads the way in T Levels, with pass rates above the national average for the third year running.
IBM, Autotrader, Murphy Construction, the Bee Network and the NHS are among the 352 employers that will offer 45-day T Level placements
The MBacc is part of our plan to deliver a new decade of good growth, by giving young people a clear line of sight to high-quality jobs in growth sectors.
Greater Manchester has reached a major milestone in its technical education journey, with employers pledging over 1,000 additional work placements to T Level students.
The MBacc builds on the excellent work already being led by colleges across Greater Manchester, delivering high-quality technical education and industry placements.
T Levels are one of the qualifications that make up the MBacc – a government-backed approach to technical education that aims to create true parity between technical and academic education, giving young people a clear line of sight to high-quality jobs in our growing economy.
In a recent letter to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Government endorsed the role that the MBacc is playing in “galvanising technical education in Greater Manchester,” describing it as “a catalyst to build on and go further with T Levels.”
At the heart of every T Level course is a substantial industry placement of at least 45 days. These give young people the chance to work in sectors including digital, construction, and health and social care, enhancing their employability by giving them vital industry experience.
The length of the placement - at least 315 hours - gives a young person enough time to get comfortable with the working environment, allowing them to learn real skills and to make strong connections. Employers also benefit from the longer placements: T Level students gain relevant knowledge and practical skills, as well as bringing fresh perspectives to a workplace. Many may go on to complete an apprenticeship in the same company.
The Growth Company has done groundbreaking work to drive up the number of placements from our major employers, working closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Employer Integration Board.
So far, 352 employers across all ten boroughs of the city region have pledged to provide placements. They include industry leaders like IBM, Murphy and Autotrader, as well as small and medium businesses, including First Steps nursery in Rochdale, Security firm Protec in Oldham, and aerospace manufacturer Silcoms in Bolton. Young people will also have access to groundbreaking placements in the public sector and emergency services, including at the NHS, Bee Network, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police.
In November, the Mayor set out a new plan for the next decade of good growth in Greater Manchester. This milestone will support the delivery of that vision - by helping employers build the skilled workforce they need to deliver new jobs, homes and infrastructure across the city region.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This is a big moment for technical education in Greater Manchester and a huge endorsement from some of our top employers. These placements are giving young people valuable experience, real skills, and a foot in the door.
“This is just part of our plan to create a progressive, modern, work experience system in our city region - one that benefits both students and employers. We’re determined that every young person who needs one will be able to access a high-quality, 45-day work placement.
“With support from government, we’ll take the MBacc to the next level in 2026, opening up good career pathways for all our young people, as more skilled jobs are created in our growing economy.”
Greater Manchester is leading the way in T Levels success. College students here achieved a pass rate of 93.5% in the last academic year, outperforming the national average pass rate for the third year in a row.
New data shows 89% of T level learners in Greater Manchester were in jobs, continued study, or both, the year after completing their qualification.
Anna Dawe, Chair of GM Colleges, said: “Placements are at the heart of T level success for both Greater Manchester students and employers. Securing 1,000 pledges from employers across the city region will deliver real opportunities for young people and reflects how engaged and invested our businesses are in skills and the future workforce. We look forward to working with partners throughout this year to continue to make the placements a success and secure even more.”
Leon Butler, Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland said: “T Level work placements are a great pathway for young people to apply what they’re learning in a real workplace, build confidence and develop skills that employers genuinely need. At IBM, the placement students are focused on using AI to solve industry-aligned challenges, each receiving technical mentorship from our early professionals.
“We’re proud to support this milestone and to play our part in helping grow the next generation of digital and technical talent in Greater Manchester.”
16 year-old Ilona, a T Level digital software development student at The Manchester College, is doing a work placement at IBM in Manchester. She said: “I chose my T Level because I have a passion for tech and coding, and I wanted to do something I actually enjoy.
"Working with IBM has been a really great opportunity, being in a real workplace has helped me build my coding, communication and teamwork skills and given me confidence about my future career.”
Charlie, 19, former T Level student at The Manchester College and now an apprentice at Kane International (through UCEN Manchester and Total People), said: “The T Level placement at Kane International changed everything for me. I learned real engineering skills and felt part of the team from day one. It wasn’t just about watching — I was doing real work, solving problems and learning new skills every day.
“It led to an apprenticeship and now I’m working towards a Higher Technical Qualification. It’s given me a clear path into a career.”
Susan Howard, Head of Workforce Development, NHS Greater Manchester, said: “For the first time in Greater Manchester, young people can start their journey to train to become a midwife through a T Level in midwifery, opening up a route that was previously only available once they started university.
“The first placements launched in collaboration with Oldham College and Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust, giving students real, hands-on experience in the NHS while they’re still learning.
“They show how technical education can create clear, high-quality pathways into vital public service careers. It’s a significant step forward for both young people and the future NHS workforce.”
GMCA and the Growth Company will continue working with employers to expand the number of T Level placements in 2026.
