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ECONOMICClient
Manchester Enterprises Ltd.
Location
City South, Manchester
Project Lead
Marie Hodgson
mariehodgson@innercitysolutions.co.uk
0161 236 2966
Background
The City South area of Manchester is the focal point of Manchester’s knowledge economy, and is home to the city’s two Universities, alongside major employers such as the Central Manchester NHS Trust. Its importance to the city-region’s economy is underlined by the scale of the current workforce within the area, totalling approximately 37,000 people – equivalent to 12% of Manchester City Centre’s workforce.
The concentration of economic growth in such a small geographical area represents a unique opportunity to realise wider economic development and regeneration objectives across Manchester. The need for greater engagement with and linkages to communities living in or around Oxford Road has been identified as a significant issue in the area’s future economic growth within the Oxford Road Strategic Development Framework.
In this regard the greatest challenge is closing current and projected skills gaps that exist primarily for two reasons:
- The increasing demand for a high-skilled workforce, to support to the growth of high value-added businesses based in City South
- The relatively under-skilled workforce in adjoining neighbourhoods such as Ardwick, Hulme, Moss Side, Rusholme and Longsight.
Role
Inner City Solutions were commissioned in December 2007 by Manchester Enterprises Ltd. to undertake a detailed feasibility and development proposal for the creation of a Work-Based Action Learning Centre in the ORC area. The centre is intended by partners to link up the skills needs of the key employers with the employment potential of residents of surrounding communities. After mapping current provision and identifying and clarifying employers specific skills needs, the proposal for a Centre was worked up with partners in order to identify likely options for curriculum, management/ownership structures, physical representation and funding opportunities.
Central to the process was close liaison with representatives of the Central Manchester Employers Alliance (CMEA) and mainstream providers in the communities including the Further Education colleges and JobCentre Plus. This allowed the initial aspiration of a Centre to develop into a practical and deliverable proposal for a bespoke training facility.
Delivery
The final report has been accepted by Manchester Enterprises and its central recommendations are currently under consideration by the City South Partnership.
Links
Manchester Enterprises Ltd. – www.manchester-enterprises.com
City South – www.manchestercitysouth.com
Services
- Business Planning
- Employment & Enterprise Development
- Financial Modelling
- Feasibility Studies
- Consultation
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