MBacc is biggest thing I can do to change life chances

MAYOR UNVEILS CHANGES TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION

- By ROB PARSONS

GREATER Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has described how changes to the way technical education works in the region are the single biggest thing I could do to change life chances’ for local young people.

At an event today he will unveil plans for a Manchester Baccalaureate, an alternative to the existing national English Baccalaureate EBacc) system and something he says will focus on subjects which maximise young people’s chance of getting a good job in the Greater Manchester economy.

The unveiling of the so-called MBacc comes after Greater Manchester became one of two regions outside London to sign a trailblazer’ devolution deal with government handing over a host of new powers.

And speaking at an event at Manchester’s People’s History Museum, Mr Burnham said it would aim to create a clear path from education to good careers for young people pursuing technical education, equal to those on the university route.