Welcome to the ‘Work Matters in Greater Manchester’ website.

This resource is the result of collaborative work between staff from Connexions services across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and the New Economy Manchester's Research Team. Teachers and tutors have also contributed to the resource.

The resource was developed in order to help those professionals involved in the education and guidance of young people preparing to make significant and important educational and career choices to help them make their way in what is a diverse and ever changing labour market.

The Greater Manchester economy is in a very healthy state. The vast majority of sectors will be offering more opportunities than previously and major organisations such as the BBC are moving aspects of their organisation to the area. However, many of these jobs and the employers who are offering them expect applicants to have certain skills and level of qualifications. It is hoped that this resource will help teachers, tutors, Personal Advisers and other professionals working with young people convey some of the key messages to ensure that Greater Manchester can hold its own in the global economy.

This resource consists of the following:

Greater Manchester Area Fact sheets:

These sheets contain information about the numbers and distribution of workers in the key sectors in Greater Manchester as a whole and in each of the ten boroughs.

Sector Fact sheets:

This section contains four fact sheets for each of the 15 Key sectors of the Greater Manchester economy. Each sector concludes with 2 case studies outlining brief details of a job and how the person reached that position.

Resource Materials:

This section contains activities and lesson plans for students at key stages 3 and 4 as well as for post 16 students as well as resources that can be used to prepare students for major events. Other resources include quizzes, word searches and presentations that can be used/adapted by those working with young people.

This resource is also available in hard copy, which comes in an attractive A4 folder and includes a CD-rom of the materials. If you are interested in ordering a copy or have any feedback concerning the website please contact Kay Gregory by e-mail