How we support Apprenticeships across every corner of the Growth Company

  • Monday, February 9, 2026
  • Posted By The Growth Company

This week, the Growth Company is proudly joining organisations across the UK in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week - a national moment to recognise the vital role apprenticeships play in unlocking opportunity, supporting business growth and strengthening local and regional economies.

Now in its 19th year, National Apprenticeship Week highlights how high‑quality skills programmes open doors, create pathways to employment, and help people of all ages gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

As an organisation committed to inclusive growth and economic resilience, apprenticeships are central to our mission. They touch every part of our organisation, from helping businesses develop talent, to building the region’s skills pipeline, attracting new investment, and deepening our understanding of the skills our economy relies on.

The importance of Skills for Life

Across the Growth Company, we see first-hand how apprenticeships transform lives and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive economy:

  • For individuals, apprenticeships provide confidence, experience and pathways into rewarding careers.
  • For employers, they help build resilient, future‑focused teams and address critical skills gaps.
  • For our places, they support long‑term competitiveness, inward investment and labour‑market growth.

From supporting thousands of learners across key sectors, to helping employers at every stage of their growth journey, to showcasing Greater Manchester’s talent offer to investors, apprenticeships remain fundamental to delivering our shared ambition of a thriving, inclusive economy.

Reflections from our leaders

To mark the week, we invited leaders from across the Growth Company to share their perspectives on the importance of apprenticeships from their part of the organisation.

Jon-Paul Rimington wearing a white shirt with a dark suit jacket standing in a modern office

"At GC Education & Skills, we’re proud to support learners and partner with businesses to build skilled, confident, and resilient teams that drive our economy forward. This success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our colleagues and the close collaboration of the employers and partners we work with every day.

 

"National Apprenticeship Week is a powerful reminder of the impact skills can have and as an organisation that's dedicated to empowering businesses and individuals with high-quality skills and training, we're proud to support this annual celebration. Most importantly, it is a chance to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, whose hard work and commitment to developing new skills inspire us all. Throughout the week, we'll be championing the value of apprenticeships, spotlighting the opportunities they create for workforce development, and sharing how our apprenticeships can help employers unlock talent, boost productivity, and build a future-ready workforce."

Jon‑Paul Rimington Managing Director of GC Education & Skills

Joe Manning sitting and looking off to the side. He is wearing a black suit with a dark green tie and there is a green curtain in the background

"Businesses considering investing in Greater Manchester want confidence in long-term access to skills. Our apprenticeship system gives employers the ability to grow talent alongside their business, supporting productivity, resilience and sustainable growth across the city region. We are pleased to be working with companies from across the world who are creating new apprenticeship opportunities in the city region."

Joe Manning Managing Director of MIDAS

Janine Smith smiling with a modern office in the background

"At GM Business Growth Hub, we work with businesses every day who tell us that skills development is one of their biggest challenges, but it also presents one of their biggest opportunities. Our skills development offer helps employers identify gaps, access fully funded training, and build the confident, capable teams they need to grow.

 

"Apprenticeships are an important part of that, alongside programmes like T Levels, which give businesses early access to emerging talent and bring fresh ideas into the workplace. When employers invest in skills, whether through training or providing placement opportunities, they unlock increased productivity and strengthen their future. People are at the heart of every business, and by supporting employers to develop their workforce at every level, we are helping to build a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive economy in Greater Manchester."

Janine Smith Director of GM Business Growth Hub

Richard Jeffery wearing a dark suit jacket with a white shirt standing in a modern office with a slightly blurred background

"Apprenticeships are one of the most effective ‘earn while you learn’ pathways for developing the skills our economy urgently needs. Our work shows that high‑quality apprenticeships not only expand opportunities for individuals but strengthen workforce resilience, close skills gaps and boost productivity at the firm level.

 

"GC Insight’s research – including our analysis of Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships in the health and social care sector – demonstrates how these pathways help to future‑proof talent pipelines and support the transition to a stronger, more inclusive wellbeing economy. Through Growth Flag, our predictive firm‑level data tool, we can now identify businesses most likely to benefit from targeted skills and apprenticeship support, ensuring investment reaches the firms where it will deliver the greatest economic impact."

Richard Jeffery National Director for Solutions at GC Insight

Lisa Riley wearing a purple top with a modern office in the background

"Manufacturing has always been powered by people… problem-solvers, innovators, and those eager to make a real difference. Apprenticeships play a vital role in bringing fresh talent into the industry, especially as the sector continues to navigate the challenges of an ageing workforce. But, apprenticeships aren’t just for those starting out, they’re also a powerful way to upskill and reskill existing employees, helping manufacturing teams strengthen capability, retain talent, and build an adaptable workforce.

 

"At The Manufacturing Institute, we’re proud to support people at every stage of their development, from apprenticeship level right through to board level. We’ve seen firsthand how apprenticeships open doors and create meaningful pathways for young people just entering the sector, and those already inside it. National Apprenticeship Week is a celebration of those apprentices and the opportunities that keep our industry moving forward for generations to come. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, supporting one, or looking to bring apprentices onto your factory floor, now is the perfect time to get involved."

Lisa Riley Director of The Manufacturing Institute

Showcasing the impact across our organisation

During the week, teams across the Growth Company will be sharing stories that highlight the achievements of our learners, the businesses strengthening their workforce through apprenticeships, and sharing insights that reflect the many ways apprenticeships drive impact for people, businesses, and places.

Whether you're a business looking to build your workforce, an individual exploring your next step, or a partner working to support local communities, National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to explore how apprenticeships can help.