Business

The new training programme that will ‘plug the skills gap’ for around 2000 Mancs

UK Skills Academy, a digital and cyber security training provider, has been awarded a lead partner role in the £2m Digital Skills for Growth & Productivity contract, to lead Greater Manchester's ESF Skills For Growth programme.

The Manc The Manc - 20th January 2022

A new range of flexible training programmes from UK Skills Academy will give around 2,000 people in Greater Manchester access to free flexible training across a range of digital programmes

The brand-new programme will help to address a shortage in digital skills in the region.

It’s hoped it will ‘plug the skills gap’ that has been identified following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three-year Skills For Growth programme will help thousands of individuals and Greater Manchester-based SMEs to thrive, moving their businesses online and learn new digital skills to improve productivity.

Credit: UK Skills Academy

The free training will be flexible, remote, online and will provide the required skills and knowledge to support growth and productivity, such as digital marketing for business, digital transformation for leaders and managers, cyber security practices for business and much more.

ADVERTISEMENT

They will help business leaders to move their services and products online, and help individuals to develop skills like data analysis, cyber security and digital marketing.

The two-strand programme will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the city-region.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s been hailed as a ‘truly employer-led’ venture that will directly help local businesses to access the best, and most needed, resources.

Credit: UK Skills Academy

UK Skills Academy offers digital and cyber apprenticeships and training, with the learner at the heart of everything they do.

Their mission is to teach people the digital skills that are needed in modern work environments, working with businesses to design and implement apprenticeships.

ADVERTISEMENT

The academy can even offer businesses bespoke programmes to fit with employers’ needs.

Speaking of UK Skills Academy’s appointment as the lead partner of the Skills for Growth programme, its MD Gemma Beech said the academy is ‘delighted’.

Read more: All the Plan B restrictions that have ended in England from today

She said: “Our own experience and high-quality digital provision, along with our selected partners, are the right fit to respond to the needs of Greater Manchester’s digital skills shortages.

“Employers have consistently reported that they need support in developing technical skills and that demand industry-wide is expected to keep on growing.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have a wealth of experience, innovative ideas and proven success in this sector and are looking forward to welcoming our learners.”

To find out more about Digital Skills Growth & Productivity, or see what UK Skills Academy has to offer, visit uk-skillsacademy.co.uk or express an interest here and one of the team will be in touch https://forms.office.com/r/pWbX7xvLZh

Featured image: UK Skills Academy

Business

The Pop Up Club – pop-up shop for independent retailers to return to Manchester this weekend

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The Pop Up Club is coming back to Manchester city centre this weekend, offering a prime retail space to independent businesses and small creators.

The initiative aims to transform unused public spaces and invite designers, makers and artists along to add cultural and commercial value to the local area.

Through providing this platform for these businesses, The Pop Up Club has managed to help its traders earn £1.5 million across all their previous events which run up and down the UK.

The brilliant pop-up retail space was previously on King Street in Manchester, but this time The Pop Up Club is moving into the Manchester Arndale.

Shoppers will be able to choose from the curated traders on offer, such as beautifully handpainted watercolour illustrations from By Tilly, celestial and nature inspired jewellery by Sian Mellor designs and beaded bracelets from That Wild Feeling.

It’s also helping to promote local talent as it shares the work of Manchester based unique printed homewares from Lydia Meiying.

Moonshine Prints, a trader who creates a variety of fascinating and eclectic wall art for everyone to buy and display in their homes, will also be at The Pop Up Club when it returns to Manchester.

The Pop Up Club will offer a chance to browse local traders who normally wouldn’t have a platform as big as this, while also supporting art and culture direct from the north.

Tillie Peel, creator and founder of The Pop Up Club.
Inside the incredible retail space providing opportunities for small businesses.
Peel, admiring works by small creators which are part of her small business initiative.
Credit: Publicity Pictures

The businesses The Pop Up Club uplifts and works with may be small but the amount of traders definitely isn’t – they’ve shone a spotlight on more than 500 independent retailers since setting up the social enterprise.

It’s also nice to hear that creatives who have worked with them in the past would more than likely consider working with The Pop Up Club again as according to the statistic on their website, ‘100% of traders said they would return’.

The venture was founded by Tillie Peel, who says: “Manchester has always welcomed us with open arms, and the friendly Northern spirit was calling us back once again.

“Utilising an empty space at the Manchester Arndale is a dream come true for us, as it puts us at the heart of shopping in the city and with events such as the Christmas Markets returning, the footfall of the city centre will be highly welcomed by us and all our traders in our Manchester store.

“With over 5 million small businesses in the UK*, there are so many that deserve attention and shopping small can bring huge benefits to the economy as well as supporting local income. This Christmas is the perfect time to shop from small businesses and independent traders, where a purchase can make a real difference to that brand.

“Our network of independent businesses have found being in our stores offers real value, as well as allowing them to speak to customers, see the reactions in real time to their items and to get a taste of what the high street has to offer.”

Shoppers who just can’t wait to get on down to The Pop Up Club can browse the shop in person on 16 November at Manchester Arndale.

Read more:

Featured Image: Publicity Picture

Business

Viral bakery Half Dozen Other set to open new site this December

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Famed for their incredible sweet treat pastries and fresh bread offerings, Half Dozen Other are preparing to open a brand new cafe and bakery in December.

Founded by ex-Rugby players Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan, who’ve both competed for the St. Helens team alongside a whole host of different clubs throughout their astonishing careers.

The pair also own Manchester coffee shop Pot Kettle Black, an establishment which has earned its stripes as a frontrunner in the city centre cafe scene.

Half Dozen Other opened a new bakery last summer, painting the Green Quarter landscape with a splash of coral pink thanks to their brightly coloured warehouse plot – and now they’re expanding again.

This bakery is opening their second site at Circle Square, the new Bruntwood Scitech development which is also home to Onda and Federal.

The esteemed bakery will also be accompanied by a whole host of foodie favourites like Detroit Slims and Hello Oriental who all currently reside in the same neighbourhood.

Some of the incredible bakes and creations by the team over at Half Dozen Other.
The bright coral pink site that started it all for these Manchester-based bakers.
The lovely food and drink options by Half Dozen Other to feed your appetite.
Credit: The Manc Group

Not too long ago, Half Dozen Other collaborated with Indian restaurant Dishoom to launch their tasty ‘Chai custard tart’ creation.

The sweet treat specialists supply their delicious bites to many Manchester famous eateries including some of the city’s favourites like San Carlo and Tast Catala.

At the new site, they’ll be serving baked-fresh-daily ‘classic bakes, modern takes’.

November has been a very busy month for the Half Dozen Other team as they’re halfway through running their specials of the month including a Pistachio Croissant, PBJ Cookie and a vegan Tarte Tatin Croissant.

With so much going on including ever-changing new products and its brand new Oxford Road development, the bakery is teaming up with speciality coffee brand Ozone to offer £1 coffees every day in December.

Jon Wilkin said: “We’re obsessed with creating things that didn’t exist yesterday.

Read more:

“Our bakers are already working their magic while Manchester’s bars are still thumping, committing to a mind-bending graft against the clock to ensure your morning toast is worth getting out of bed for.

“Some people count sheep to fall asleep, we count pastries to stay awake. It’s our obsession, an obsession that’s growing. Speaking of growth, we’re pretty chuffed to be opening a bakery shop in Circle Square on Oxford Road. Come at us!”

Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood SciTech commented: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Half Dozen Other to the Circle Square community.

“This is a brand founded on passion, craft and innovation and one we know will thrive within our vibrant neighbourhood, which is fast becoming a city centre hot spot for hospitality innovators.

“As well as freshly baked artisan treats we are excited to be bringing a new artisan bakery to Circle Square and we can’t wait to see what the team create at their new home.

“Half Dozen Other will be joining the likes of Onda, Detroit Slims by Ramona, Firehouse & Diecast, Federal and North Taproom and will complement this exciting mix perfectly.”

Sweet tooth lovers and bread aficionados can count themselves lucky as by next month, they can add a stop at Half Dozen Other at Circle Square on Oxford Road to their morning commute serving pastries, bakes and coffees from 7am.

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Business

Gusto Didsbury closure

Business

Gusto Restaurants confirm closure of Didsbury location after 17 years

Mary and Archie West Didsbury shut down

Business

Beloved pub and restaurant Mary and Archie announce gutting closure of Didsbury site

Manchester-founded fashion brand Represent opens flagship store in city centre

Bolton

First look – Manchester-founded fashion brand Represent opens flagship store in city centre

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches