Skills For Growth is a brand new podcast for businesses in Greater Manchester. In each episode, Andy Hall speaks to industry insiders and the people on the ground creating the opportunities of the future, to find out exactly how you can put yourself and your business in the best position to ensure growth, financial resilience and a happy and healthy workforce. Follow Skills for Growth in your podcast app now.

Nic Hutchins is the Principal Lead at GMCA for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and one of the brains behind the Skills for Growth - SME Support programme. She tells Andy why skills and vocational learning are so important for the development of all businesses, and the impact that education in the workplace has on future business growth.

Peter Craen is a highly experienced Management Consultant and Team Leader on the Skills for Growth - SME Support programme, with a passion for innovation. He tells Andy about the importance of change management, navigating change in business and top tips for SMEs.

Maria Mander is an award-winning health and wellbeing specialist who advises SMEs on the Skills For Growth - SME Support programme, helping them develop a healthy, thriving and productive workforce. She tells Andy why employee wellbeing is so important for companies big and small, how we can all prepare for the challenges of the future in this area, and the strategies we can all use to help us when we're feeling overwhelmed.  

Suzanne McNicholas is the Skills for Growth - SME Support Apprenticeship Specialist and Bronwyn Raper is the Deputy Hub Lead of Bridge GM who works with schools and colleges to help them prepare young people for the world of work. They tell Andy about the numerous benefits SMEs can experience by taking on apprentices, bust some of the myths about employing young people, and explain why becoming an apprentice can be incredibly rewarding at any stage in your career.

Chris Fletcher is the Policy, Campaigns and Communications Director at GM Chamber of Commerce and Richard Jeffrey is the National Director at GC Business. They tell Andy about their predictions for the future of business in Greater Manchester and how SMEs can use the support available through the Skills for Growth programme to create a thriving, sustainable future.