A colourful logo reading "Greater Manchester's Festival of Technical Education"

About the Festival of Technical Education


Greater Manchester’s Festival of Technical Education is a series of virtual and in-person events celebrating student achievements in technical education, as well as the education providers and employers offering these opportunities.  ​

Held in June and July across Greater Manchester, the Festival helps young people to explore careers, workplaces and technical education training pathways into great jobs in our growing economy.  ​

It supports the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), a mission of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to create a genuine and equal alternative to the university route.

The Festival line up includes:

  • Festival Week: main events taking place during the week of 30 June

  • Festival Fringe: events with Greater Manchester's colleges and technical education training providers taking place across June and July.

  • Virtual Festival: events taking place virtually across the city region

Download the Festival Week calendar (PNG, 1.3KB)

List of Festival Week events

Monday, 30 June

  • Northern T Level Conference: The Education and Training Foundation and Association of Colleges are providing professional development opportunities to support practitioners delivering T Levels and T Level Foundation Year programmes. 
  • Greater Manchester Mainstream Inclusive Education Conference: Hosted by the Greater Manchester SEND Board, this conference will look at a Greater Manchester understanding and approach for inclusive mainstream education. 

Tuesday, 1 July 

  • Lesson with the Mayor: Andy Burnham will be teaching a technical lesson at Wigan and Leigh college.
  • Festival of Apprentices: An exhibition promoting and celebrating all things apprenticeships.
  • Leader celebration event: Professor Brian Cox will be sharing his expertise at a science teacher and leader celebration event attended by staff across Oldham's schools.

Wednesday, 2 July 

  • MBacc Summit — Gateways to the Future: Hosted by GMCA, this event is an annual celebration of Greater Manchester Baccalaureate successes, bringing together industry and education to shape the future of technical education in our city-region. 
  • Morning assembly: Professor Brian Cox will encourage Oldham primary schools to take part in a Great Science Share for Schools.
  • Careers in STEM Q&A: Professor Brian Cox will address secondary and college students in a Q&A at Oldham Sixth Form College.

Thursday, 3 July 

  • Technical Education Skills Awards: Hosted by Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network, this event will celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions to the Further Education and Skills Sector. 

Friday, 4 July 

  • Festival Roundup: GMCA celebrates all of the wonderful events and activities of the Festival online.