The Growth Company will deliver new programme to bridge project management skills gaps

GC has been awarded a contract from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to work in partnership with Back2Work to deliver ‘Project Management for All’ – specialist training designed to upskill people across different industries in the art of project management. 
 
Thanks to a £1.5m cash boost, it will be delivered as part of GMCA’s three-year Skills for Growth programme, funded through the European Social Fund. 

The bespoke programme will be aimed at people who don’t currently work in project management, but who carry out elements of it in their roles. Project Management for All will support a minimum of 750 individuals across a wide range of sectors. It has been developed with input from employers to help plug widening skills gaps and fill vacancies.  
 
Delivered with a blended and flexible approach to learning, Project Management for All is an accredited Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification, which will open up doors for leaners to go onto higher apprenticeships or explore in-work progression opportunities.  
 
Jen Leggat, Business Development Project Manager at the Growth Company said: “Since the shift to home and hybrid working throughout the pandemic, project working and collaboration has been difficult in some organisations. We recognise the importance of developing key knowledge and skills in management and leadership, and although employers are now seeing the value in project management techniques and processes, they are struggling to find people who already possess these skills. 
 
“Therefore, we have developed a suite of training using real-time employer feedback that will not only support businesses in Greater Manchester to enhance their workforce, but will also inspire individuals in the region to develop new professional skills.” 
 
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and Greater Manchester’s Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital said: “There is a pressing need for more highly-skilled people than ever before who are trained effectively to grow our economy and raise productivity. 
 
“Skills for Growth is supporting our efforts to ensure businesses have the talent pool they need and demonstrates how working in an integrated way with the business community can have a positive impact on economic recovery.” 
 
Skills for Growth is an innovative programme that has been developed to fill skills gaps in a number of industries in Greater Manchester. So far, nine lead partners, including the Growth Company, have been brought on board to deliver support to businesses and training to individuals working across the digital, health and social care, construction, manufacturing and logistics industries. 
 
So far, almost 2,000 individuals have enrolled onto a fully-funded course, while nearly 500 people have completed their training.  
 
This is in addition to the support offered through the Skills for Growth – SME Support arm of the programme, which is earmarked for any small to medium enterprise in the city-region to gain up to six months’ worth of tailored, expert guidance from dedicated Skills Coaches. 
 
Interested in the Project Management for All programme? Learn more and apply here.