Thousands of people helped to take part in millions of pounds worth of fully-funded training thanks to GM Skills Map

Thousands of people working at businesses in Greater Manchester have been helped to take part in millions of pounds worth of fully-funded training thanks to GM Skills Map.

The GM Skills Map was launched in January 2021, to help showcase all of the training, skills and apprenticeships available in Greater Manchester.

Since then, there have been more than 2000 people have started on a fully-funded training course, with a total value of more than £2,000,000.

Now, more businesses and individuals are being urged to use the online tool to make sure that they are making the most of it and accessing all the training, skills and apprenticeship options that are available.

With businesses facing rising costs this winter, the Skills Map is also a great way to help keep these down with access to funded training while also training staff to help the business grow and be more profitable at a difficult time.

So far GM Skills Map has seen:

• 284 people apply for apprenticeships. With an apprenticeship having a minimum cost of £3,000 this is an estimated £825,000 provided via GM Skills Map Of these 140 have either applied, booked or been approved onto these apprenticeship courses, so a minimum value of approximately £420,000.
• 2392 applications made to fully-funded training courses which were either approved, or the person was actually recorded as having started or completed the courses. If this is multiplied by the number of successful applicants to these courses, the total value provided is £2,204,499.92.
• 450 successful applications made to commercial courses totalling £93,416.11.

Janine Richardson, Programme Manager, Skills for Growth, said: “GM Skills Map has been an excellent success since we launched it last year. We’ve seen fantastic engagement from both individuals and employees, many of whom have taken part in either partly-funded or fully-funded training.

“There’s a whole range of courses available that can help to upskill people but also help to solidify a businesses strategic goals. I would urge all businesses to take a look and ensure they are accessing all the options that are available. This could be especially important this winter with many businesses facing rising costs.

“GM Skills Map can help with keeping training costs down. Either through the part-funded or fully-funded training and also help develop businesses and employees in ways that could help through these uncertain times.”

GM Skills Map is open to all SMEs across Greater Manchester, and as well as the map cataloguing training and apprenticeships, there is also a dedicated team on hand to help.

The easy to use platform offers both employers and learners the functionality to search a range of commercial, full and part-funded training courses across a variety of disciplines including sales and marketing, leaders, Digital, IT and cyber security as well as more specialist courses for industry sectors including manufacturing, construction and health and social care.

GC Business Growth Hub in partnership with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce launched Skills for Growth – SME Support in October 2020 after receiving funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as part of its three-year Skills for Growth programme, funded through the European Social Fund.

The fully funded business support programme is designed to help Greater Manchester SME’s achieve their growth ambitions through workforce development.

To access GM Skills Map go to Skills For Growth – Skills Map (gmskillsmap.co.uk)