Future is bright for GCSE students as MBacc brings “true parity” to academic and technical education

• Mayor congratulates students as they receive GCSE results and promises “true parity” between technical and academic education
• Early analysis of last week’s T Level results shows some Greater Manchester colleges are now achieving 100% pass rate
• MBacc students will also be able to access hundreds of new T Level placements with some of Greater Manchester’s most prestigious employers
• Digital skills hardwired into the MBacc with Raspberry Pi Foundation Certificate in Applied Computing – tackling skills shortages holding back growth

As pupils across Greater Manchester open their GCSE results today, those who move on to T Levels will have access to a record number of work placements.

On top of those organised by colleges, The Growth Company, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Employer Integration Board have worked with businesses to secure an extra 800 T Level placements, providing more prestigious opportunities with some of the city region's top employers.

Young people can also study for a unique new Certificate in Applied Computing, developed in partnership with The Raspberry Pi Foundation.

And initial data suggests that Greater Manchester may once again outperform the rest of the country on T Levels – a two-year technical qualification equivalent to three A Levels – with some colleges achieving a 100% pass rate.

These results follow a year of record gains in improving access to technical education, with the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) completing its first year of delivery last month.

Designed with employers, education leaders and young people themselves, the MBacc provides a clear line of sight into high-quality jobs, drawing on local labour market insight to guide young people to sectors that are growing in our city region – from digital and technology to construction and the green economy.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“What we’re building here thanks to our brilliant schools and colleges is an education system that offers true parity between academic and technical routes. All young people should be able to fulfil their potential, whatever path they choose after their GCSEs. And they should have the same chance to thrive and build a great career they right here in Greater Manchester. We look forward to seeing the full data from last week’s T Level results, but early results seem to suggest that, once again, Greater Manchester’s T Level students have beaten the national average. This shows the quality of education that our schools and colleges are providing. It also proves that when we invest in technical education, young people rise to the challenge. I want to congratulate everyone getting their GCSE results today. Whatever path you choose next, the future is bright for you here in Greater Manchester.”

Across England, provisional results showed that 91.4% of the 11,909 students who took T Levels achieved a Pass or above. Already, data shows that some courses and colleges in Greater Manchester achieved pass rates well above this. Last year the pass rate in our city region was 94% – above the national average.

Anna Dawe, Chair of GM Colleges, said:

“Technical education students across the GM Colleges have excelled in their advanced technical qualifications. T Level results across Greater Manchester outperformed national averages in both overall pass rate and high grades, meaning that students have secured first choice destinations. Many are progressing to university, and we are seeing significant increases in those securing degree apprenticeships. For young people receiving their GCSE results today, this demonstrates that technical education is a fantastic option, opening doors to university, apprenticeships, and exciting careers in growing sectors."

Ellie McVeigh, a pupil picking up her GCSE results at Hollingworth Academy in Rochdale, said:

“I’m really happy - I needed five passes at a 5 or above and I got that. For my next step, I’m going to Hopwood Hall College in Middleton, where I’ve got a place in T Level Health and Social Care. I chose a T Level because I'm a hands-on student, and I’m really looking forward to doing a work placement in a hospital. Midwifery runs in my family, and I really want to be a midwife. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the future.”

Cate Calveley, Teacher and Careers Leader at Hollingworth Academy, said:

“The pupils here have smashed it this year, with record results. We're really proud of what they've achieved. There’s a significant number of our pupils who are moving forward with Technical Education — people going on to Apprenticeships, T Levels and other Level 3 Diplomas and Technical Certificates. The MBacc is an opportunity for us to really communicate to students an alternative pathway into the high-quality jobs within our local economy.”

Building on the work already spearheaded by Greater Manchester colleges, employers across the city region have come forward to back the MBacc with pledges for an additional 800 new work placements for T Level students.

Major companies on board include Murphy, Nexperia, and Autotrader, while the Royal Oldham Hospital, part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has also pledged midwifery placements, helping students at Oldham College gain real-world experience in the health service.

The MBacc is also helping to close the digital skills gap, as a report out this week from Make UK and Sage identified a skills shortage as one of the factors holding British businesses back from adopting advanced technologies

The new Certificate in Applied Computing, developed by UK-based global charity the Raspberry Pi Foundation is equipping young people with the essential digital and computing skills that will help them realise their potential.

The online course for 14-19-year-olds is designed for students who may not have chosen traditional computing qualifications, and takes them through modules ranging from artificial intelligence and machine learning to visual communication and data handling.

Last week, Wigan and Leigh College was announced by the government as one of 10 Construction Technical Excellence colleges across the country that will take a share of £100m of funding aimed to getting thousands of new bricklayers, electricians and carpenters and other trades into the workforce.

This will deliver well paid jobs across the country in the construction sector and help build 1.5 million homes to transform communities by the end of this Parliament – strengthening the MBacc gateway to good jobs in the Construction and Green Economy industries.

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Notes to Editors

Reach the report from Make UK and Sage here: Making it Smarter: Global lessons for Accelerating Automation & Digital Adoption in UK Manufacturing | Make UK

About the MBacc (Greater Manchester Baccalaureate) 

The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) is Greater Manchester’s plan to give young people a clear line of sight into good jobs through high-quality technical education. It focuses on technical education linked to real career opportunities across the city region’s seven priority growth sectors: 

• Construction and the Green Economy 
• Health and Social Care 
• Digital and Technology 
• Manufacturing and Engineering 
• Education and Early Years 
• Financial, Business and Professional Services 
• Creative, Culture and Sport 

The MBacc supports young people to explore these pathways through tools like Beeline (GMACS), high-quality T Level placements, and curriculum resources co-designed with schools and colleges. 

Young people and their support networks can find out more about the education and training pathways available in Greater Manchester at www.gmacs.co.uk/beeline.

Key Statistics: 

• Only 40% of computing teacher places currently filled nationally 
• 7.5 million UK adults lack essential digital skills for work 
• 600+ new T Level placements pledged in Greater Manchester, building on the great work already being delivered by GM Colleges. 
• 4,000+ young people engaged with Beeline careers tool

Employers can find out more about offering T Level placements and pledge their support at www.gmtlevels.org.

T Level Results

Of the 11,909 students with an overall result in 2024/25: 98.4% of students achieved a grade E or above in the core component; 95.0% achieved a Pass or above in their Occupational Specialism; 96.3% completed their Industry Placement (includes completed with special consideration).  

The pass rate in the 18 pathways awarded this year ranged from 97.8% (Legal Services) to 70.9% (Digital Business Services).

Article Published: 21/08/2025 16:10 PM