The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has taken a step towards developing a portal to support young people in applying for apprenticeships and technical education.
It has published a procurement notice for a Greater Manchester Careers Application Platform, following up an element of the mayor’s manifesto that promised a UCAS-style application process.
GMCA is aiming to make the platform available by the autumn, although the procurement notice says a supplier will have the contract until September 2022.
Its primary purpose will be to support 16-18 year-olds in choosing and applying for courses offering technical qualifications, but it could be extended to over 18s if it proves a success.
The platform will form part of the Future of Greater Manchester strategy, which was approved by the GMCA in January.
According to the procurement notice, the platform should improve young people’s access to opportunities from employers, support the delivery of Greater Manchester’s Curriculum for Life, and help to address social inequalities.
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