Manchester's brand new qualification that Andy Burnham hopes will rival university

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A new qualification offering young people an alternative route to university without debt will be launched in Greater Manchester in September next year, the Mayor has confirmed.

Andy Burnham said the Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) will be a new option for students with the opportunity to gain a degree-level education in a technical field with a path into work.

The plan is part of a new strategy aimed at reducing crime and violence among young people. The Mayor claimed if he is re-elected for another term in office, it will be his "single top priority" and that he will be "as obsessed" with integrating technical education as he is about buses. READ MORE: Tyson Fury faces alleged £82k tax bill over Manchester Airport car parking scheme The move comes after Greater Manchester agreed with the Government that at the next spending review in Whitehall the region will move to an approach similar to Wales or Scotland, where funding will come as a block rather than being tied up in different pots.

Mr Burnham said: "We are now going to be able as a city region to shape post-16 technical education. What I want to do is create two clear equal paths for all young people growing up in Greater Manchester. "That will lead people towards gateways into the Greater Manchester economy at 16.