At a recent Bury Council meeting, councillors approved a plan to move forward with the next stage of the ongoing Northern Gateway regeneration project, part of the £1bn Atom Valley Project.
The Northern Gateway growth zone will deliver not just homes and jobs, but a significant skills and training commitment for local people in Bury. The recently published Social Value Strategy Plan sets out ambitious targets on apprenticeships, up-skilling, and inclusive employment and growth. Employment and skills have been identified as one of the four core social-value priorities for the project, alongside improving the environment, strengthening communities and boosting the local economy.
The plan contains bold ambitions to encourage supported apprenticeships, T-Level placements and graduate internships from local universities, as well as supporting those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and those from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds to access pathways to good work.
Working alongside local colleges and training providers, the project will co-design training and fill skill gaps where they may arise in high-growth and emerging industries such as tech, advanced manufacturing and digital. This ambitious plan will bring real benefits for the local community, creating pathways for young people to access well-paid, in-demand jobs in exciting sectors, as well as developing pathways for upskilling and retraining for older residents.
Cabinet Member for the Economy Charlotte Morris said:
“This is a major step forward for the Northern Gateway project, creating new jobs, homes and advanced manufacturing facilities and most importantly, creating the skills apparatus to ensure our local residents and communities can benefit from this new development.
“By supporting our local residents, and choosing to put our youth first into the jobs of tomorrow, we’re helping to boost the local economy with good jobs and skills that will remain in the borough, benefitting us all.
“Earlier this year, we launched our All Age Work and Skills Strategy, which sets out how we will support all residents – no matter their age – to access good education, employment and ultimately livelihoods within the borough”.
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