Following Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister and as Andy Burnham has put himself forward to succeed Starmer, Baker Dearing CEO Kate Ambrosi has written the below analysis of how the policies Burnham supported as mayor could help tackle youth unemployment nationwide:

“Youth employment could receive a boost if Andy Burnham replicates on a national scale the good work he has done in Greater Manchester on technical education.

“Burnham’s Greater Manchester Combined Authority has worked with the Baker Dearing Educational Trust to develop the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate Award, part of the wider MBacc. The award celebrates young people who develop employability through, for example, work experience and employer-set projects.

“Andy Burnham has also supported the development of new technical pathways within GM schools. These UTC Sleeves, based on the successful University Technical College programme, will mean more young people can be prepared for degree apprenticeships and work. They are modelled after the UTC programme where, each year, around a fifth of year 13 leavers progress to apprenticeships; compared to six per cent of young people nationally. Just five per cent of UTC leavers become NEET; compared to ten per cent. After Sleeves in Bristol and Barrow, another is in the pipeline for GM.

“With one million young people out of work and education, it is imperative government utilises intelligent solutions such as the MBacc and UTC Sleeve to help prepare young people for work, not just for examinations.”

Ambrosi pictured top with Burnham at last year’s Labour Party Conference.

Andy Burnham provided a comment to last year’s Policy Exchange report on the UTC programme, From School to the Skilled Workforce. He wrote:

“University Technical Colleges play a vital role in giving young people the technical skills and real-world experience they need to succeed. By connecting education directly with employers, these colleges offer students a genuine line of sight into future careers – particularly through the kind of high-quality apprenticeships that lead to good jobs in the growth sectors of the economy.

“This is a tried and tested model, and one that is much needed across more schools in England. This report sets out some strong, timely recommendations that are aligned to our own ambitions in Greater Manchester – to expand technical education and strengthen pathways into skilled employment through the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate.”