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Andy Burnham unveils new ‘MBacc’ qualification offering Greater Manchester students a university alternative

"If we don’t make this change now, it could be the single biggest barrier to future growth."

Emily Sergeant - 17th July 2024

Andy Burnham has unveiled plans for a new ‘MBacc’ qualification offering Greater Manchester students a university alternative.

It’s been exactly a year since the Greater Manchester Mayor set out his ambitious plan to create what he has called a “genuine and equal alternative to the university route” for high school students in our region – with the term ‘MBacc’ as we know it explained further towards the end of last year as part of a wider vision for 2024.

Since then, Mr Burnham says he has worked with education and business leaders throughout the region, as well as young people themselves, to design seven MBacc ‘gateways’ which are each linked to a sector that is growing in Greater Manchester.

And now, the Mayor has finally announced, for the first time, his vision for the core MBacc subjects that will underpin those seven ‘gateways’, and ultimately, provide young people with what he hopes is “a clear line of sight” from the age of 14.

It’s a year since @MayorofGM set out his ambitious plan to create an equal alternative to the university route. Greater Manchester has worked with education and business leaders as well as young people to design seven #MBacc gateways

👉 Find out more https://t.co/dQoxExogGV
— Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) July 12, 2024

The seven ‘gateways’ of the MBacc, which Andy Burnham says each align with growth sectors in the Greater Manchester economy, are Health and Social Care, Digital and Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing, Construction and the Green Economy, Financial and Professional, Education and Early Years, and finally, Creative, Culture and Sport.

The core MBacc subjects are to be the three core English Baccalaureate subjects, English Language and Literature, Maths, and Sciences, as well as the addition of ICT.

When it comes to optional subjects, the MBacc will offer Engineering, Design & Technology, Business Studies, Drama, Music, and Performing Arts, while the EBacc is known for focusing more on modern foreign languages and humanities subjects.

Andy Burnham has unveiled a new ‘MBacc’ qualification to offer Greater Manchester students a university alternative / Credit: GMCA | gov.uk

Unlike the English Baccalaureate – which is geared towards the subjects that the UK’s top universities value – however, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says each MBacc gateway will instead guide young people to the subjects and qualifications that are currently most valued by our region’s employers.

“For too long, the English education system has been built around the needs of just a third of young people who go to university,” Mayor Andy Burnham commented as he unveiled the MBacc last week.

“That means that every year, thousands go through school without a clear path into a good career.

What a great week.

Change is coming and GM is leading the way to it:

🚌 Integrated public transport

🏡 New generation of truly affordable homes

👷🏽‍♀️ Equal alternative to the university route

🤝 New approach to benefits and support#BeeNetwork #GMHousingFirst #MBacc #LiveWell pic.twitter.com/SizeYetxSf
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 13, 2024

“Our answer is the MBacc – a game-changing new plan for technical education. We’re using our devolved powers to reset the scales and give young people a clear line of sight to good jobs and the steps that will take them there.”

Mr Burnham says he believes that if we don’t make this change now, it could end up being “the single biggest barrier to future growth” and also to the “life chances” of Greater Manchester’s young people.

“The needs of our economy are changing, and right now the system is not capable of keeping pace and meeting the needs of businesses or the ambitions of the next generation.”

Featured Image – gov.uk