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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.