GMCA awards £1m skills contract

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded Seetec Outsource a £1m contract as part of its three-year Skills for Growth programme funded through the European Social Fund.Seetec Outsource will support a minimum of 1,200 people working in the logistics industry to navigate a post-Brexit world as businesses face challenges around new import and export rules. They will also focus on upskilling in the planning, control and scheduling aspects of the sector.The new contract aims to plug skills gaps within the logistics sector, which employs approximately 83,000 people in the region and has been identified by GMCA as a key sector in terms of employment and skills.Lloyd DeVal, director of sector skills at Seetec Outsource, said: “The logistics industry has a vital role to play in supporting Greater Manchester’s social and economic growth, and we look forward to working closely with employers in the region to co-develop skills provision that builds workforce capability and increases productivity.”Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council and Greater Manchester’s lead for education, work, skills, apprenticeships and digital, added: “There is a pressing need for more highly-skilled people than ever before who are trained effectively to grow our economy and raise productivity.”In Greater Manchester we have a growing, dynamic economy and we have ambitions for a world class integrated skills system to match it.”We’ve been making some real progress over recent years and the Skills for Growth programme is just one fantastic example of how we work collaboratively to provide a relevant offer to our businesses, which is tailored and responsive to their needs.”