In this episode of the Chamber's Local Skills Improvement Plan podcast, we're joined by Julie Lappin, Executive Director at Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) and Subrah Krishnan-Harihara, Deputy Director of Research at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Julie talks about the wide range of GMLPN-run programmes and initiatives designed to support learning providers and Greater Manchester residents, including ASK (Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge in Schools), Multiply, which helps to support Further Education providers in delivering maths skills across Greater Manchester, and a project which aims to support autistic individuals into apprenticeships.

Subrah and Julie also discuss the changing skills system in Greater Manchester - the integrated technical education system - and the alternative pathways that this will provide for young people entering the workforce through work-based learning. They also look at some of the challenges facing learning providers, such as recruitment in FE Colleges.

Subrah talks about the importance of understanding the skills and recruitment challenges impacting businesses and how, through that data, we can help to make the changes to skills provision that employers need.

For more information about the Greater Manchester Local Skills Improvement Plan, visit: https://www.gmlsip.co.uk/ and to contact the team, email: gmlsip@gmchamber.co.uk.

For further information about Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network, visit: https://gmlpn.co.uk/.