Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 28, 2025

Purpose: To agree schemes for the Investment Zone Skills Programme funding

Content:  The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought approval to accept the grant funding for Rochdale from the Greater Manchester (GM) Investment Skills Programme and the activities proposed linked to key interventions the grant could support.   The Cabinet Member Regeneration and Housing delivered a brief summary of the report’s key points.   The Head of Work and Skills was in attendance to present the report and to address the questions and the comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that the Supporting Skills Programme was part of the overall Investment Zone programme that provided Greater Manchester with funding over five years for interventions that supported growth and innovation in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing in the city region.   Greater Manchester’s Leaders had agreed that part of this funding would be allocated to further develop a targeted skills offer for the sector aimed at intensifying the existing skills provision in the city region.   Rochdale was one of the four Local Authorities to be allocated this funding over a four-year period to develop a programme of activities to help connect local people to Advanced Materials and Manufacturing jobs on investment sites such as Atom Valley.   Resolved that the recommendations set out in section two of the report be agreed.   Reason for decision: The GM Investment Zone - Supporting Skills Programme Grant 2025/2029 would provide an enhanced programme of talent and support career development into Advanced Manufacturing and Materials and would help local people connect to jobs in this sector.   Activities proposed would help raise the profile of the sector and provide specialist careers advice attracting more people into the industry.   It would support young people to benefit from the growth opportunities in Atom Valley and access the good quality jobs that would be available in the future.   Delivery of provision would make sure employers were involved with the curriculum development so people were equipped with the skills local businesses would need.   Young people and adults that are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and unemployed would be encouraged and supported to access appropriate provision and improve their skills levels so they can access job opportunities.   Children in primary education would have access to programmes involving fun activities that will help create more interest in taking up STEM subjects and would see engineering as a future career option.   Activities had been developed in collaboration with key partners to make sure the Council was supporting its strategic priorities and activities would complement and align with existing skills provision.   Alternatives considered and rejected: Members could ask for alternative activities to be proposed under the programme or not accept the grant funding.