15 min read- Top employers have backed the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) by pledging more than 1000 new T Level placements across the city region.
- This landmark moment comes weeks after the Government also backed the MBacc, our pioneering plan to transform technical education.
- Greater Manchester leads the way in T Levels, with pass rates above the national average for the third year running.
- IBM, Autotrader, Murphy Construction, the Bee Network and the NHS are among the 352 employers that will offer 45-day T Level placements
- The MBacc is part of our plan to deliver a new decade of good growth, by giving young people a clear line of sight to high-quality jobs in growth sectors.
Greater Manchester has reached a major milestone in its technical education journey, with employers pledging over 1,000 additional work placements to T Level students.
The MBacc builds on the excellent work already being led by colleges across Greater Manchester, delivering high-quality technical education and industry placements.
T Levels are one of the qualifications that make up the MBacc – a government-backed approach to technical education that aims to create true parity between technical and academic education, giving young people a clear line of sight to high-quality jobs in our growing economy.
In a recent letter to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Government endorsed the role that the MBacc is playing in “galvanising technical education in Greater Manchester,” describing it as “a catalyst to build on and go further with T Levels.”
At the heart of every T Level course is a substantial industry placement of at least 45 days. These give young people the chance to work in sectors including digital, construction, and health and social care, enhancing their employability by giving them vital industry experience.
The length of the placement - at least 315 hours - gives a young person enough time to get comfortable with the working environment, allowing them to learn real skills and to make strong connections. Employers also benefit from the longer placements: T Level students gain relevant knowledge and practical skills, as well as bringing fresh perspectives to a workplace. Many may go on to complete an apprenticeship in the same company.
The Growth Company has done groundbreaking work to drive up the number of placements from our major employers, working closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Employer Integration Board.
So far, 352 employers across all ten boroughs of the city region have pledged to provide placements. They include industry leaders like IBM, Murphy and Autotrader, as well as small and medium businesses, including First Steps nursery in Rochdale, Security firm Protec in Oldham, and aerospace manufacturer Silcoms in Bolton. Young people will also have access to groundbreaking placements in the public sector and emergency services, including at the NHS, Bee Network, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police.
In November, the Mayor set out a new plan for the next decade of good growth in Greater Manchester. This milestone will support the delivery of that vision - by helping employers build the skilled workforce they need to deliver new jobs, homes and infrastructure across the city region.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This is a big moment for technical education in Greater Manchester and a huge endorsement from some of our top employers. These placements are giving young people valuable experience, real skills, and a foot in the door. “This is just part of our plan to create a progressive, modern, work experience system in our city region - one that benefits both students and employers. We’re determined that every young person who needs one will be able to access a high-quality, 45-day work placement. “With support from government, we’ll take the MBacc to the next level in 2026, opening up good career pathways for all our young people, as more skilled jobs are created in our growing economy.”
Greater Manchester is leading the way in T Levels success. College students here achieved a pass rate of 93.5% in the last academic year, outperforming the national average pass rate for the third year in a row.
New data shows 89% of T level learners in Greater Manchester were in jobs, continued study, or both, the year after completing their qualification.
Anna Dawe, Chair of GM Colleges, said: “Placements are at the heart of T level success for both Greater Manchester students and employers. Securing 1,000 pledges from employers across the city region will deliver real opportunities for young people and reflects how engaged and invested our businesses are in skills and the future workforce. We look forward to working with partners throughout this year to continue to make the placements a success and secure even more.”
Leon Butler, Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland said: “T Level work placements are a great pathway for young people to apply what they’re learning in a real workplace, build confidence and develop skills that employers genuinely need. At IBM, the placement students are focused on using AI to solve industry-aligned challenges, each receiving technical mentorship from our early professionals. We’re proud to support this milestone and to play our part in helping grow the next generation of digital and technical talent in Greater Manchester.”
16 year-old Ilona, a T Level digital software development student at The Manchester College, is doing a work placement at IBM in Manchester. She said: “I chose my T Level because I have a passion for tech and coding, and I wanted to do something I actually enjoy. "Working with IBM has been a really great opportunity, being in a real workplace has helped me build my coding, communication and teamwork skills and given me confidence about my future career.”
Charlie, 19, former T Level student at The Manchester College and now an apprentice at Kane International (through UCEN Manchester and Total People), said: “The T Level placement at Kane International changed everything for me. I learned real engineering skills and felt part of the team from day one. It wasn’t just about watching — I was doing real work, solving problems and learning new skills every day. It led to an apprenticeship and now I’m working towards a Higher Technical Qualification. It’s given me a clear path into a career.”
Susan Howard, Head of Workforce Development, NHS Greater Manchester, said: “For the first time in Greater Manchester, young people can start their journey to train to become a midwife through a T Level in midwifery, opening up a route that was previously only available once they started university. The first placements launched in collaboration with Oldham College and Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust, giving students real, hands-on experience in the NHS while they’re still learning. They show how technical education can create clear, high-quality pathways into vital public service careers. It’s a significant step forward for both young people and the future NHS workforce.”
GMCA and the Growth Company will continue working with employers to expand the number of T Level placements in 2026.
NOTES:
Employers interested in offering a placement can find further information here
Parents and students can find out more about T levels here
Full list of employers who have pledged T Level placements:
42nd Street, A Bradwell, ABL Health, Accenture, Action Together CIO (Rochdale), Adam Trela/Mad Alert Studio, Advanced Accessories Ltd T/A Mr Mobile, Age UK Manchester, Age UK Stockport, Air Handlers Northern Ltd, Ajax Equipment Limited, Albert's Fine Quality Meats Limited, Alliance Door Engineering Ltd, Ambutech Pre-Hospital Care, AMO Special Cables Ltd, Anasa Care Limted, Animation Toolkit, ARC Mindset CIC, Armour Care services Ltd, Arts for Recovery in the Community, ASC Construction Group, Ask Firebird, Aspin Group Ltd, Atelier Crescendo, Autoquality Wigan Limited T/A HCS Wigan, Autotrader, AVAKINO LIMITED, Avanturebyte limited, Ax Paris, Bardsleys Garage & Recovery Limited, Barlows UK LTD, Bartell Cottage Furnishings Ltd, Batanaful, B-Compliant Ltd, Biz Women Ltd, Black Bull Biochar, Boo Coaching and Consulting, Bowmer + Kirkland, Brighter Beginnings, Brighter Blinds Ltd, Brighter Cleaning Solutions Ltd, Bruntwood, Bury Metropolitan Arts Association (The Met), C & H Property Services Ltd, Capital Asset North t/a Hunter Capital, Caprius (Europe) Limited, Care Choice North West Limited, Cargill Ltd, Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), Carr's Pasties, Cast UK Limited, Castrads Ltd, CCA Recruitment, CDD Services, CDL, CG Professional, Charles and Ivy Limited, Chenab Foods Ltd, Cherry on Top Bakes Ltd, Cisco, Clarke Telecom Ltd, Clear Watch Security Ltd, ClearCycle Ltd, Cleland McIver, Clever Center Ltd, Cloud Imperium, COD Electrical Limited, Collaborative Women, Colliers Commercial Cleaning Ltd, Comfortex Limited, Computionics LTD, Continental Textiles, Co-Operative Group, Cornerstone Design & Marketing Ltd , Cracking Good Food, Crapco, Cu-Plas Supplies Limited, Cyber Chameleon Limited, Cycle Waggle Ltd t/a Manchester Bikes, Cycloan Education, Daikin UK, Decordia Ltd, Deepdale Technolgies Ltd, Desser and Company Limited,Dexter Bell Associates, Diamond Bus North West, Didsbury Childminding Ltd, Direct Linen Textiles International, Dragonfly Crowd, Dreamland Floors (Ashton) Ltd, Duel Autocare Ltd, DWP, E&A Cleaning, Ecobelt Ltd, EMRGHRO Ltd t/a Emergency Hero, Esay, Essence Media, Essity UK, ETC Tax, Express English College, Express IT Group Ltd, Extreme Largeness Ltd, Fabric CIC, Fabricon Design Limited, Families 1st Ltd T/A Kickstart childcare, Farrat, FEC, First Bus, First Choice Homes Oldham, First Steps Nursery, Firstplay Dietary Foods, Flannery Plant Hire, Flixton Football Club Ltd, Foilco Ltd, Forest Sofa Ltd, FREEDOM FIRE & SAFETY LTD, Fulfilx Ltd , Gallaway Construction, GET WOBBLED LTD, Glencar Construction, Go A Mile Extra Facilities Management - GAME FM, Go NorthWest, Grains Bar Hotel Ltd, Great Places Housing Group, Greater Manchester Business Compliance Support, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Youth Network, Green Energy Mills, Green It Disposal, Greentec Auto UK, H.N.Nuttall Limited, HAD & CO, Halle, Harveys of Oldham workwear, Hayden’s Pop and Prop Shop, Healthy Me Healthy Communities CiC, Heaton Moor Medical Group, Heatsense Cables Limited, Heyside Plastics Limited, Hinterland CIC, Hive Bakehouse Limited, HMR Primary Care Academy, HOLLA HR LIMITED, Honest Crust Sourdough Pizza, Ibex Marina Ropes Limited, IBM, Impressions Uniforms, In4tech ltd, Ingram Digital Limited, Inovar Ltd, itreatskin LTD, ITV, J Mills (Contractors) Ltd, J. Murphy & Sons, JD, Joseph Holt, K2 Heating and Cooling Solutions Ltd, Keibra LTD, KenEck Limited, KeolisAmeyMetrolink, Keppel Leopard Creative, Kids Start Day Nursery, Kingsland Drinks, Konstrukt, Ladybird Childcare, Lift Safe Ltd, LIMA Networks Limited, LINK Strategic Partners, Little Hamza's Nursery Limited, Little Lion Research, Local Homes Magazine Ltd, Logic UPVC Limited, Luminare Cleaning, MAC AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LTD, Manchester Digital, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Mansell Building Solutions, Maple Fleet Services LTD, Markland Leisure Limited, Mason Advisory Ltd, McHale Legal Limited, McKenzie Electrical, MercoFS, Metroline Manchester, Mettler Toledo Safeline, Mike Pye Marketing, Mikhael Law Ltd, Milliken, Mitie, Motion Project Management, N Brown, National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Natural Hype Juice & Jerk Ltd, Nazareth Care, NCA (finance), NCUK, NDAxon, NEG Europe, Nema Limited, Network Rail Limited, New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, New Day at Work, Nexperia, NHS GM (People & Culture Function), NHS GM (Wigan Locality), Nina's Spare Limited, North West Ambulance Service, North West Cleaning Equipment, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, NTB Survey Ltd, One Agency Media, Orseal Limited, Overford ltd, own label skincare ltd, Oxford Innovation Ltd, Pakeeza Dairies Limited, Palatine Paints & Chemicals Limited, Pallet People Ltd, Panacea Training & Support Ltd, Panoramic Fire and Security Ltd, Pegasus Warehousing & Fulfilment Ltd, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Permanoid Ltd, Persona Care, Personal Home Care Services Ltd, Pet Trust UK, Phlox PVMed Consultancy Ltd, Pimberly, Pixeltree Media, PM Business Solutions, PNP Fitness, Positive Steps, PossAbilities CIC, Power Efficient Systems Ltd, Precision Components and Equipment Ltd, Priceless Discounts Limited, ProDataStack, Protec Security, PTS (STockport) Ltd, Pure Innovations, PW-A (NW) Ltd, Q Sustain Ltd., Quality Tile Care Ltd, R Tindall Fabricators Ltd, Rabbie's Thai Limited, Ready Health Ltd, ReconnectNow Limited, Recreate-U, Recruitment Solutions (North West) Ltd, Recycle-IT! (Bolton) CIC, Remedian IT Services Ltd, Reserve Limted, RGE Ltd (RedGrey Engineering), Rider Hunt Consultancy, Riley's Community Practice LTD, Robert and Victor Ltd, Rothwell Group, Routes Healthcare, Rowan Ashworth Ltd, Safe Space Sisterhood, Safe Start School Limited, Safeseal Roofing LTD, Sahara Sun Beauty Limited, Salford Community Leisure, Sharp Futures, SIDINFO CONSULTANCY LIMITED, Signs 2 signs ltd, Silcoms II Ltd, Silteq Ltd, Simkiss Home Automation Limited, Simply Books Ltd, Sky High Achievers, Smith Goodfellow Ltd, Smithcove Ltd, Sodexo, Solution One Services, Space Zero, Specscart, SSE, SSS Management Services Ltd, Standish Sports & Uniforms Ltd t/a Impressions Uniforms, Start Communication, Stepan, Stepping Stones Nurseries Ltd, Stiff Tea Brewing Company, Stockport Advocacy Trust, Stockport Council, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stonebridge Construction NW Ltd, Stream Measurement Ltd, Studio John Bridge, Surgigo 360, Syngenta, T & G Trading Limited t/a The Soap House, Talk Listen Change, Tameside Active, Telford Steel Framing, The Chase Films, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, The Cohesion and Integration Network, The Creative Composite Agency, The Dressing Room Wigan, The Fed, The Growth Company, The Leigh Miners Welfare Institute and Recreation Ground Social Club Ltd, The Little Carpet Shop, The Little Nursery Group, The MDS Group Global Ltd, The Modern Builder, The Power of Resilience CIC, The RHS, Thunderhawk Studio Ltd, Tile Abode Ltd, Tiny Turtles Daycare Ltd, Tinytots Vision Nursery, TP Matrix, TransPennine Express, Transport for Greater Manchester, Treecycle2020, Turner and Townsend, UBU Environmental Limited, Umbizo, United Canning and Bottling Limited, Vanguard Asset Manager, VB Health Ltd, Vector Group Companies, Vistry, Void Studios Architecture + Research Limited, vps uk, Walford Construction, Waterhouse's Quality Food Market Limited, Werneth and Freehold Community Development Project t/a Panda Pre School, White Patch Consulting Ltd, Whitecroft Lighting, Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre, Wigan and Leigh Community Charity, Wigan Borough Health Watch, Wigan Youth Zone t/a Wigan Boys and Girls Club, Willmott Dixon, Willow Wood, Winners FDD Ltd, With Love Studio, Women's Voices C.I.C, Xcede IT Ltd, Young Manchester, Your Trust Rochdale, Zen.
