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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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

Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.

But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.

Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.

And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.

Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.

There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.

A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.

As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.

CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport

Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.

“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3. 

“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more. 

“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”

Featured image: Manchester Airport Group

Business

MediaCityUK makes huge pledge to Salford Youth Zone

Danny Jones Danny Jones Media City donate 100k to Salford Youth Zone

MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.

Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.

Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.

As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.

Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.

Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.

As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.

Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.

As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”

Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.

For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.

Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.

Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.

“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.

“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”

Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.

“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”

With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.

Popular outdoor dining event returns to MediaCity waterfront this summer
Salford Youth Zone isn’t the exciting collab with MediaCity this year.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Arran Bee (via Flickr)/Salford Youth Zone/Sophia J Carey (supplied)

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