Only one Council apprentice out of 231 comes from Chorlton

This article in today's Manchester Evening News focuses on a document I requested in March outlining where Manchester Council's "Manchester People into Construction" (MPIC) apprentices reside. The MPIC Scheme was developed in 2008 to place young Manchester residents into employment opportunities with contractors "that sit on the City Council’s construction framework". The figures from South Manchester are well below their fair share. Out of 231 apprentices just 15 (6.5%) are from South Manchester:

Just one of the 231 apprentices comes from Chorlton Ward, Chorlton Park (1), Burnage (3), Didsbury East (0), Didsbury West  (2), Fallowfield (1), Levenshulme (1), Northenden (0), Old Moat (3), Rusholme (1), Whalley Range (0), Withington (2)

Manchester Council has said that its construction projects like the £170million refurbishment of the Town Hall and Central Library will create jobs for Manchester People. However the figures show that the jobs on offer are not benefiting people across Manchester. It is wrong that only 15 apprentices out of 231 come from South Manchester and only one comes from Chorlton.

The apprenticeships on offer should benefit people from across the City more equally and I'm concerned that potential apprentices are not hearing about the opportunities available. The Government is doing a huge amount to promote and create apprenticeships and the Council needs to ensure that it is doing its share. I've asked the Council to look at this anomaly and at how it can better promote the apprenticeships on offer to South Manchester Residents.