Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said top employers have backed the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) by pledging more than 1,000 new T Level placements across the city region.

This comes weeks after the UK Government also backed the MBacc, a pioneering plan to transform technical education.

IBM, Autotrader, Murphy Construction, the Bee Network and the NHS are among the 352 employers that will offer 45-day T Level 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.

New data shows 89% of T level learners in Greater Manchester were in jobs, continued study, or both, the year after completing their qualification.

In a letter to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the UK 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.”

So far, 352 employers across all 10 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.

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.”