Factory Academy launched in 2018 to deliver training for people looking to start new careers with the aim of diversifying the workforce in the creative and cultural industries.

This new report details the impact of Factory Academy's free training programmes across Greater Manchester. Headline findings include:

• Over 1000 local people have graduated from more than 40 different programmes, providing skills for careers from event managers, musicians, and teachers to production managers and technicians.
• 60% of graduates have progressed into paid employment at cultural organisations across the city and wider region including Co-op Live , Studio Lambert, Things That Go On Things, Rochdale Development agency, Science and Industry Museum, Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Manchester Youth Zone, DNG and Odd Arts including 100 alumni going on to paid roles at Factory International.
• 80% of students declared a characteristic underrepresented in the industry
• 84% of the Factory Academy students from central Manchester live in Manchester City Council wards with the highest levels of unemployment
• 89% of former Factory Academy students strongly agreed that their confidence had improved and that they felt more prepared for employment.

Download the full report below.

Image: Beau Fildes