Greater Manchester students first to access prestigious new computing certificate

• Raspberry Pi Foundation has chosen Greater Manchester to launch cutting edge Certificate in Applied Computing 
• Course includes AI and machine learning skills for students aged 14-19 
• 92 young people from 7 schools have taken part in initial pilot – which will be expanded across Greater Manchester in the coming year
• Certificate will ensure digital skills are hard-wired into the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), increasing access to high quality jobs in the city-region 
• Launch marks successful first year of MBacc, with more than 600 new T Level placements pledged by employers so far this year  

Young people in Greater Manchester can get equipped with essential digital and AI skills thanks to a new Certificate in Applied Computing, which will form part of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc).  

The certificate was developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK-based global charity which helps young people realise their potential through computing and digital technologies. 

It's available through the MBacc, the city-region’s ambitious plan to transform technical education and create a clear line of sight to high quality jobs in our growing economy.  

The new online course equips 14–19-year-olds with essential digital skills — from visual communication and data handling to web design and an introduction to AI. 

Designed for students who may not have chosen traditional computing qualifications, the course is free, self-paced, and requires no teacher marking, helping young people take ownership of their learning. 

Once a stage is completed, participants receive a certificate from the Raspberry Pi Foundation to support college or job applications. 

The certificate launches today at the MBacc Summit, following a successful pilot involving 92 students from seven Greater Manchester schools. It will initially roll out to 14–15-year-olds across 251 schools in the city region, with plans to expand further in the coming year. 

A year of progress and a national lead  

Today's Summit marks the end of the first year of MBacc delivery. Shaped by employers, education leaders and young people themselves, the MBacc draws on local labour market insight to guide young people to sectors that are growing in Greater Manchester.   

By transforming the way young people access and experience technical education, the MBacc will help all our young people to fulfil their potential and close the skills gaps that are holding back our economy.  

Over the past year, schools, colleges, employers and other partners have worked together to improve access to technical education courses and work experience for 14-18-year-olds. 

By working together, since July 2024, Greater Manchester has delivered: 

• Over 600 new T Level placements have been pledged, including the region’s first midwifery placements at Royal Oldham Hospital and 160 roles across the Bee Network in transport, engineering and project support, building on the great work already being delivered by colleges in Greater Manchester. 

• Beeline, a digital careers tool, has helped over 4,000 young people explore real jobs and salaries across seven growth sectors.  

• MBacc pilot projects in 26 schools, creating a line of sight to Greater Manchester’s thriving economy through the curriculum and helping more students understand the range of technical pathways available. 

• A new Educator Toolkit has been co-designed with teachers to support future rollout. 

• Greater Manchester was chosen to pilot equalex, a new inclusive work experience programme led by the Careers & Enterprise Company, involving 330 students across 11 schools. 

• Successful pilot of the Raspberry Pi Foundation Certificate in Applied Computing, teaching hands-on digital skills to students who may not otherwise access computing qualifications.  

These initiatives are building towards Greater Manchester’s 2030 ambition: to ensure every young person has a clear, supported path into meaningful work, without having to leave the place they call home. 

Greater Manchester is setting the standard for a locally-led model of technical education – one designed with and for young people, educators and employers. 

With more than 120 employers now part of our Employer Supporter Action Network including IBM, Autotrader and Murphy, Greater Manchester is strengthening long-term partnerships between employers and schools, helping bring technical education to life for young people across the city-region. 

Powered by partnership 

The launch of the Raspberry Pi Foundation Certificate in Applied Computing reflects what’s possible when local educators, employers, and system leaders come together to reshape technical education. 

In Greater Manchester, these partnerships are already helping young people access new routes into public service and growth sectors, from NHS midwifery placements and roles across the Bee Network in transport, to emerging opportunities in digital, construction, health and social care, and more. 

The certificate was developed in close collaboration between the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as part of the MBacc, the city-region’s plan to help more young people access high-quality technical routes into great careers. 

This week, Greater Manchester also launched its first-ever Festival of Technical Education, connecting thousands of young people to careers, employers, and technical education pathways across the city region. It marks another bold step toward building a system that works for everyone. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 

“This new certificate from Raspberry Pi Foundation is exactly the kind of innovation we had in mind when we launched the MBacc. It gives young people real digital skills that employers are crying out for and shows Greater Manchester doing what devolution allows us to do best: responding to local need with bold, practical solutions.  

“We’ve made huge progress in just one year, thanks to the commitment of our schools, colleges and employers. The Growth Company has done outstanding work to drive up T Level placements across the city region, and Raspberry Pi Foundation’s contribution shows the power of working together to build something better.  

“Now we’re asking more employers to get involved. Together we can show the country what a future-focused technical education system looks like and give every young person in Greater Manchester a clear path to a good job.”   

Rachel Arthur, Chief Learning Officer, Raspberry Pi Foundation, said:

“We’re proud to launch our new Certificate in Applied Computing with Greater Manchester – a place that shares our belief in giving all young people the tools they need to thrive. 

“This new initiative is about unlocking opportunities. As a former computer science teacher, I know how important it is to give students hands-on, practical experience to understand technology and use it confidently. The certificate combines this knowledge with insight from local employers, to give more young people a clear pathway to access rewarding jobs - whatever their ambitions may be.”  

Lauren Maddison, Assistant Head of IT and Computer Science at Hollingworth Academy, said:

“It has given pupils an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise had, to gain valuable digital skills and open up greater prospects for their future. The Certificate is clear, practical and engaging, it’s made students think differently about computing, and many have started to consider careers they hadn’t thought of before. It’s a brilliant addition to our offer.”  

Cameron Crowther, student at Hollingworth Academy, said:

“This certificate has helped me understand how digital skills are used in real jobs. I really enjoyed learning about AI and web design. I have developed new skills, and it’s made me want to learn more.” 

What happens next  

As the MBacc enters its second year, Greater Manchester is calling on more employers, educators and partners to help take it to the next level.  

Employers can get involved by offering T Level placements or helping shape the curriculum to reflect real-life skills. Teachers can bring the Raspberry Pi Foundation Certificate in Applied Computing into their classrooms and explore MBacc tools to support students from all backgrounds. Young people and parents can use Beeline via Greater Manchester Apprenticeship and Careers Service (GMACS) to explore future job options.  

The goal is to make sure every young person in Greater Manchester has a clear, supported path into a career they can be proud of, without having to leave their hometown to succeed.  

For schools and teachers: Explore the Certificate in Applied Computing and how to bring it into your classroom. 

For young people and parents: Discover MBacc career pathways via Beeline on GMACS. 

For employers: Help shape the future workforce by pledging a T Level placement. 

Notes to Editors  

About the Raspberry Pi Foundation Certificate in Applied Computing  The Certificate in Applied Computing is a flexible, self-paced programme developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to help students aged 14–19 build practical digital skills for further study or the modern workforce.  

Stage 1, now launching in Greater Manchester, is designed for students aged 14–15 who may not be taking GCSE Computer Science. It covers visual communication, data handling, web design, AI and machine learning, and more. Students complete short, self-guided modules and receive a certificate upon completion.  

Unlike traditional computing qualifications, the programme focuses on real-world relevance, accessibility, and hands-on skills. Students can also begin building a digital portfolio to support future college or job applications. Further stages of the certificate are in development, offering more advanced content and assessment. 

About the Raspberry Pi Foundation 

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a global charity with its headquarters in Cambridge, UK, with a mission to enable young people from all backgrounds to fully realise their potential through the power of computing and digital technologies. We engage millions of young people through a thriving network of clubs, enable any school to offer the opportunity to study computer science, and increase the impact of our work through our research. 

About the MBacc (Greater Manchester Baccalaureate)  

The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) is Greater Manchester’s plan to give young people a clear line of sight into good jobs through high-quality technical education. It focuses on technical education linked to real career opportunities across the city region’s seven priority growth sectors:  

• Construction and the Green Economy  

• Health and Social Care  

• Digital and Technology  

• Manufacturing and Engineering  

• Education and Early Years  

• Financial, Business and Professional Services  

• Creative, Culture and Sport  

The MBacc supports young people to explore these pathways through tools like Beeline (GMACS), high-quality T Level placements, and curriculum resources co-designed with schools and colleges.  

Key Statistics:  

• Only 40% of computing teacher places currently filled nationally  

• 7.5 million UK adults lack essential digital skills for work  

• 600+ new T Level placements pledged in Greater Manchester, building on the great work already being delivered by GM Colleges.  

• 4,000+ young people engaged with Beeline careers tool  

Article Published: 02/07/2025 13:10 PM