Skills, Talent and Productivity in Greater Manchester

New research from the Centre for Economic Performance builds on the Economy 2030 Inquiry recommendation that expanding the graduate workforce in Greater Manchester by around 180,000 - alongside a 15% increase in business capital investment - could help reduce the productivity gap with London to around 20%.

New evidence on the skills pipeline

This event will present new analysis that explores what achieving this ambition would actually require. The study broadens the focus beyond simply “more graduates”, examining the role of intermediate and technical qualifications and highlighting the need for a coordinated, multi-lever strategy spanning education, training, migration, and talent attraction. It also includes a case study of the digital sector, illustrating how skills demand, higher and further education provision, and workforce mobility interact in one of Greater Manchester’s key growth industries.

The session will begin with a presentation of the findings by Professor Henry Overman, Research Director of the Centre for Economic Performance, followed by a panel discussion exploring the implications for regional policy, the skills system, and local employers. The panel will bring together perspectives from academia, further education, and place-based economic strategy, with audience Q&A to follow.

Panel

• Professor John Holden (Chair): Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, The University of Manchester
• Julia Heap OBE: Principal and Chief Executive of Hopwood Hall College
• Professor Henry Overman: Research Director of the Centre for Economic Performance
• Professor Andy Westwood: Professor of Government Practice at The University of Manchester, and Policy Director, The Productivity Institute

About National Productivity Week

National Productivity Week is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving outcomes for people, firms and places across the UK. This national campaign brings together leading researchers, policy thinkers, industry partners and regional voices to kick off a week of new report launches, debate and knowledge‑sharing.

This year’s overarching theme for National Productivity Week, “Better outcomes for people, firms and places,” reflects The Productivity Institute’s mission to ensure that productivity improvements translate into real benefits: higher living standards, better‑quality jobs, stronger business performance and more prosperous local economies.

This event is jointly hosted by The Productivity Institute, Alliance Manchester Business School and Unit M as part of National Productivity Week. There will be networking with refreshments from 4:30pm before the event starts at 5pm.

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