Strategic Plan 2027–2036 · Greater Manchester
Skills for today. Success for tomorrow.
A ten-year plan to connect young people and communities across Greater Manchester with practical STEM, digital and life skills — and real routes into opportunity.
Our ambition
SSG in one page
Who, where, what and why we're different
Who we serve
Young people from Year 7 to post-16, with a focus on those furthest from opportunity: young people in alternative provision, PRUs and SEND settings, those disengaged from mainstream education, and communities facing digital exclusion.
Where
All ten Greater Manchester boroughs — Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan — with targeted work in the neighbourhoods that need it most.
What we do
Practical, project-based learning — coding, robotics, AI literacy, cyber safety and the soft skills that make them useful: communication, teamwork, problem-solving and confidence.
How we're different
A connector, not another course. We link education settings with industry mentors and real-world challenges, so learning leads somewhere: work experience, apprenticeships, further study or enterprise.
Our mission
Connect communities with skills, people and resources; co-design practical responses to local challenges; and build a collaborative network across Greater Manchester that expands opportunity and proves its impact.
How we work
One model, used everywhere
Listen
Hear young people, families and local organisations.
Connect
Match needs with schools, employers and volunteers.
Co-design
Agree the challenge, outcomes and who does what.
Deliver
Run practical, hands-on programmes.
Measure
Track what changed, improve, then grow.
Why it matters
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't.
Greater Manchester has one of the UK's fastest-growing digital and tech economies, but many young people never get the hands-on experience, contacts or confidence to see themselves in it.
Young people
Too many are disengaged from mainstream education or lack access to practical STEM and digital experiences outside the classroom.
Employers
Businesses need people with digital skills and the soft skills to use them — and want simple, safe ways to support local talent.
Communities
Good provision exists but is often fragmented. People don't know what's available, and services duplicate rather than connect.
Our principles
How we'll behave, every time
Community-led
Young people and residents help set priorities, shape activities and judge what works.
Partnership-first
We connect existing expertise and trusted services instead of duplicating them.
Learning by doing
Confidence comes from making, testing and solving real problems, not passive learning.
Inclusion by design
We reduce barriers around cost, disability, language, transport, confidence and digital access.
Evidence and honesty
We track who benefits and what changes, and we publish what we learn, including what didn't work.
Safe and trustworthy
Safeguarding comes first. We protect children and adults at risk and use data responsibly.
Our promise
"SSG will be a connector, not a gatekeeper. We make collaboration easier, give people meaningful roles and show the difference we make together."
What we deliver
Six learning strands
Coding & software
From first programs to building apps and websites around real briefs.
Robotics & hardware
Build, program and test robots and devices; learn engineering by doing.
AI & automation
Understand and use AI tools safely, critically and creatively.
Cyber & online safety
Protect yourself and others online; explore cyber careers.
Soft skills & leadership
Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, resilience and presenting.
Careers & enterprise
CVs, mentoring, workplace visits and turning ideas into ventures.
Ways we deliver
School & college programmes
Six-week blocks for a cohort, in or after school, ending in a showcase project.
Re-engagement programmes
Short, hands-on technology programmes for alternative provision, PRUs and SEND settings, helping young people rebuild confidence and routines.
Holiday & youth programmes
Holiday activity sessions and evening workshops with youth organisations.
Community digital confidence
Sessions for residents of all ages, including older adults, on everyday digital and online-safety skills.
Employer challenges & mentoring
Local businesses set real briefs, mentor learners and host visits or work experience.
The learner pathway
Join
Via school, a youth group or a referral.
Learn by doing
Hands-on STEM and digital skills in teams.
Real project
A challenge set by an employer or community.
Meet mentors
STEM Ambassadors and industry volunteers.
Next step
Work experience, apprenticeship, study or CV support.
Six strategic priorities
What we'll do — and where we'll be by 2036
1.Youth and community voice
What we'll do
Listen to young people and residents, map local assets and barriers, and show how feedback shapes decisions through a "you said, we did" loop.
By 2036
Young people help shape and review every programme we run.
2.Skills for life and work
What we'll do
Deliver practical coding, robotics, AI, cyber and soft-skills programmes from Year 7 to post-16.
By 2036
A proven, repeatable programme offer used across Greater Manchester.
3.Employer and STEM involvement
What we'll do
Grow a network of SMEs, tech firms and STEM Ambassadors who set challenges, mentor and host visits.
By 2036
Every learner meets real people working in STEM and tech.
4.A connected provider network
What we'll do
Map services and referral routes, make warm referrals, reduce duplication and bid jointly with partners.
By 2036
A trusted network that schools and community groups can rely on.
5.Re-engagement and inclusion
What we'll do
Use hands-on technology to help young people in AP, PRUs and SEND settings re-engage with learning.
By 2036
Clear evidence that our work helps young people back into learning.
6.Evidence, sustainability and influence
What we'll do
Measure what changes, publish learning, strengthen governance and build a balanced funding model.
By 2036
A financially resilient organisation whose evidence informs local decisions.
What makes SSG distinctive
Community listening + practical STEM and soft skills + employer connections + measured outcomes. We build local capacity so good work continues beyond any single project or funding round.
Our growth journey
A ten-year roadmap
Launch and scale
Programmes live in schools, colleges, youth and community settings across priority boroughs; a growing network of employers and STEM Ambassadors; our first annual impact report.
Accelerate
Reach thousands of young people; embed long-term employer partnerships; grow our delivery team and volunteer base; build multi-year funding and contracts.
Connect the region
Active in every Greater Manchester borough; link neighbourhoods for peer learning; share resources and referrals; independent evaluation of our impact.
Lead and influence
A recognised regional leader in practical STEM and digital skills; proven learner progression into work and study; shaping local skills policy and sharing our model beyond Greater Manchester.
Year one: 2027
Impact at pace
Launch across Greater Manchester
Programmes live with schools, colleges and youth organisations in priority boroughs, backed by a growing network of employers and STEM Ambassadors.
Scale delivery
Six-week programmes, holiday programmes, community digital sessions and re-engagement programmes for young people in AP, PRU and SEND settings.
Connect to opportunity
Employer challenges, industry mentoring, workplace visits and work experience.
Showcase and expand
Learner showcase events, our first annual impact report and expansion into new boroughs with partners ready to grow with us.
Our 2027 ambitions
These are targets we're working towards, not results. We'll report what we actually achieve in our first annual impact report.
500+
young people reached (2027 target)
5+
Greater Manchester boroughs with active programmes (2027 target)
25+
employer, STEM Ambassador and delivery partners (2027 target)
100%
of learners offered a next step (2027 target)
Measuring impact
Count what matters. Learn what changes.
Reach & inclusion
Who takes part, and whether we're reaching those furthest from opportunity.
Skills & confidence
Change in practical skills and confidence from start to finish.
Progression
Next steps into work experience, study, apprenticeships or enterprise (with consent).
Re-engagement
Attendance and engagement in AP, PRU and SEND settings.
Partnership strength
The depth and reach of our employer, school and community network.
Quality & sustainability
Delivery quality, safeguarding and a resilient funding base.
How we will report
- An annual impact report.
- Outputs reported separately from outcomes.
- Baseline and follow-up measures, without claiming more than the evidence supports.
- Findings reviewed with young people and partners.
- Ambitious targets reviewed and raised every year.
Trust and sustainability
Safe, well-run and built to last
Governance & safeguarding
- A named Designated Safeguarding Lead with deputy cover.
- Enhanced DBS checks, safer recruitment, induction and supervision for all staff and volunteers.
- Data protection: privacy notices, lawful basis, retention and data-sharing agreements.
- Health and safety, risk assessment, complaints, equality and incident-reporting procedures.
- Policies published and reviewed every year.
Funding for resilience
A balanced mix of:
- Programme fees from schools, colleges and education providers
- Grants and trusts
- Public-sector commissioning and holiday programmes
- Corporate sponsorship and in-kind support
- Donations
"We cost delivery honestly, report restricted funding clearly and reinvest surpluses in our mission."
How you can get involved
There's a role for everyone
Young people are heard. Skills are built. Opportunities are within reach.
This strategy will be reviewed every year with community input.