Welcome to the North West region!
Projects in this region are indicated by a ‘Tick’ symbol on the Google map above. Click on the icon to see the name and a brief description of the project. The map’s regions are sourced from 1998 Government Office Regions of England, as produced by the Office of National Statistics Mapping Unit in 2003.
| Facts and figures | ||
|---|---|---|
| North West | UK | |
| Population | 2m | 60.5m |
| Productivity (GVA per hour worked) | 90.8 | 100 |
| Employment rate as % of working population (GVA per hour worked) | 72.2 | 74.4 |
| Skills levels: % of economically active adults qualified to L4 | 28.5 | 31.1 |
| Enterprise: no. of VAT start ups / 10K population | 32 | 37 |
Regional focus
The region is large and varied; it includes urbanised areas, highly competitive, knowledge-based areas, and isolated rural areas. It faces the following challenges:
Employment
The North West has a significant productivity gap compared to the England average, and forecasts suggest that this gap will widen. The employment rate is slightly lower than that for England, but is markedly lower amongst some groups and in some locations. A key challenge for the region is reducing economic inactivity. Employment growth is forecast to slow significantly over the next ten years; any growth will be concentrated heavily in a few service sectors and in particular locations. While expansion is expected to be modest, there will be substantial ‘replacement’ demand. The nature of this predicted growth means that demand for workers with skills at Level 2 will stay strong, but there will be higher demand at Levels 3 and 4. The potential decline in the working age population presents a fundamental problem. The ability of employers to meet their skills needs will be heavily influenced by the retirement decision of older people.
Qualifications and skills gaps
Participation and success rates in further and work-based learning vary significantly amongst different learner groups, with lower success rates strongly linked to higher deprivation. Post-16 participation in education is improving but is still behind the England average. Skills gaps are significant, and broadly comparable to England averages, particularly in basic and ‘soft’ skills sought by employers. Skills shortages are quite marked in some locations, especially where employment growth has been strong and the economic base is adjusting.
Projects and activities to mobilise and integrate unemployed and inactive people
The ECUBE project in Greater Manchester provided examples of how to work with vulnerable young people. In particular, it brought together public and third sector organisations from different professional contexts, with shared or overlapping approaches. Their good practice guide illustrates key lessons and findings for working across the public and voluntary/community sectors.
Training and qualifications supporting access to and progression in work
The Knowledge Bank provides high quality, cost-effective, web-based training materials to companies and their staff. Developed by textile experts, business experts, e-learning professionals and a dedicated IT team at the University of Manchester, the Knowledge Bank offers a unique range of multi-disciplinary e-learning modules specific to the textile industry.
Related initiatives from the Equal programme UK wide
The Cutting IT partnership developed and piloted innovative models and approaches to assist small businesses and their employees within the clothing and textile sector in East London to adapt to the impact of changing market conditions and new technologies on business competitiveness. The project raise d awareness amongst employers of the implications of structural change within the sector and the need for workforce development, tested new business support and training services, piloted new flexible learning programmes, progression and career pathways through learning centres accessible in the workplace and community and a sector-specific Virtual Learning Centre.
