Lack of available training and apprenticeship opportunities hinders social mobility in Greater Manchester

Dave Power, Group Chief Executive of One Manchester, who own and manage more than 12,000 homes in central and east Manchester, comments on skills and employment ahead of the Budget on 29th October:

We welcome the Prime Minister’s recent commitment to provide an additional £2bn in longer-term funding for social housing.

However, one of the key barriers for our tenants and the thousands of social renters across Greater Manchester is the lack of available training and apprenticeship opportunities across all age groups.

As an organisation we continue to provide skills and employment support to all residents living in east and central Manchester through job clubs, training initiatives and apprenticeships.

We have seen first-hand that there needs to be greater community-based support for those in ‘work poverty’, rather than just focus on out of work residents.

Next week’s Budget provides a critical opportunity for the Government to deliver greater levels of investment in apprenticeships and training across Greater Manchester to lift residents out of ‘work poverty’ and empower them.

Dave Power, Group Chief Executive of One Manchester

About One Manchester: A housing provider which owns and manages 12,000 properties in central and east Manchester, we formed in April 2015 from an historic merger between two of Manchester’s largest housing associations – City South and Eastlands Homes. As an experienced and trustworthy landlord, we provide good quality homes that are safe, secure, warm and affordable. We are community and socially focused and believe in helping our residents manage their money, find work, start-up businesses and stay healthy and well. We are co-founders of the Greater Manchester Homes Partnership, an innovative new programme designed to tackle homelessness in the region and a member of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers