The Bury All-Age work and Skills Strategy is built around three core objectives that aim to improve opportunities for all residents and support Bury’s economic growth:
Objective 1: Advising and preparing young people for work
Goal
Help young people understand their career options and prepare for the world of work.
Key actions
- Embed careers education early in schools.
- Promote both academic and technical pathways (eg apprenticeships, MBacc).
- Support schools to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks for careers guidance.
- Reduce the number of young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
- Provide targeted support for vulnerable groups like care leavers and young people with SEND.
What success looks like
- More young people job-ready and aware of local opportunities.
- Increased apprenticeship starts and completions.
- Stronger partnerships between schools, colleges, and businesses.
Objective 2: Reducing economic inactivity, unemployment and underemployment
Goal
Support adults to enter, stay in, and progress in work—especially those facing barriers.
Key actions
- Promote adult learning and upskilling through funded programmes.
- Increase access to Level 3 and 4 qualifications in key sectors.
- Support people with health conditions or disabilities to find work.
- Deliver the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer to tackle long-term unemployment.
- Integrate employment and health services to support wellbeing and job readiness.
What success looks like
- Higher employment rates and reduced inactivity.
- More adults progressing in their careers and earning better wages.
- Fewer skills gaps reported by employers.
Objective 3: Increasing employer investment in workforce skills and social value
Goal
Encourage businesses to invest in their people and contribute to the community.
Key actions
- Help employers access funded training and support.
- Promote apprenticeships, internships, and work placements.
- Support sectors like manufacturing, digital, and health to attract and retain talent.
- Encourage businesses to embed social value—like offering opportunities to underrepresented groups.
What success looks like
- More businesses using training programmes.
- Increased diversity in the workforce.
- Stronger links between employers and education providers.
- Measurable social value outcomes across the borough.
Together, these objectives aim to create a thriving, inclusive, and future-ready workforce in Bury—aligned with the borough’s LET’S do it! Strategy and the wider ambitions of Greater Manchester.