Research has shown the positive impact of Greater Manchester’s universities on the city region, its people, and businesses, one year on from the signing of a flagship agreement.

The Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement commits the five higher education institutions – University of Bolton, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, University of Salford and Royal Northern College of Music – to collective action around the six priority areas of education and skills; reducing inequalities; jobs and growth; the digital economy; net zero; and the creative and cultural economy.

And to mark the first anniversary of this pledge, research commissioned by the Greater Manchester Civic University Board, shows that in the next five years the universities will:

• Train nearly 9,500 nurses, over 3,500 medics and over 8,500 teachers.
• Provide over £366 million of support and services to small enterprises, business and not-for-profits.
• Undertake research with businesses and non-academic organisations worth over £1.3 billion.
• Deliver 6,288 years of professional development training and education courses to businesses and charities.
• Create over 1,000 new companies and charities.

The Civic University Board was established following the launch of the partnership and is made up of representatives from the five higher education institutions and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

This board will drive forward the collective civic work of the universities. Significant progress has already been made in identifying the priority areas – education and skills, and jobs and growth.

• Read the full report.