The Fast Trackers project shortlisted for Educate North Business/Industry Collaboration award.
The project, which is a joint venture between Network Rail, Mott MacDonald and the North West consortia of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) – Greater Manchester Higher, Higher Horizons and Future U, was born out of increased demand for engineering skills in the workforce.
Beginning in June 2018, with 140 young people visiting London from the North-West for a three-day residential as part of a larger programme, participants were selected from areas of the country with historically low higher-education uptake in an effort to shift their attitudes towards apprenticeships and university.
Jamie Bytheway, Operations Manager(Projects), Greater Manchester Higher said: “The NCOP programme aims to double the number of disadvantaged young people entering HE by 2020. Fast Trackers is a unique and innovative project designed to give targeted young people an insight into university-level study and graduate level jobs within the engineering industry in both their local area within the North West and on a national scale, to inform and inspire them to be the engineers of the future.”
The benefit of Fast Trackers is already clear at this early stage, with exit surveys showing that 97% of participants rated the residential element as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and a 20% rise in positive attitudes towards pursuing higher education.
Now in its fifth year, Educate North Awards is a prestigious awards event which celebrates, recognises and shares best practice and excellence in the education sector in the North.
The award ceremony takes place on 25th April at the Hilton, Manchester.
