A minimum of 100 apprenticeships will be supported during the three-year construction of Co-op Live, the new 23,500 capacity arena by Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
A new training hub for the local community will also be established, developers OVG and BAM have confirmed.
Alongside opportunities for apprenticeships in manual trades, such as mechanics, plumbing and electrical work related to the arena’s build, the project will also support technical and professional management roles like quantity surveyors, site managers, audio and visual technicians and other engineers.
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These apprenticeships will provide highly skilled opportunities for young people ranging from level two through to level five, which is degree level work and beyond.
BAM’s team will mentor apprentices through the program, and work with subcontractors to ensure there are opportunities for local young people in every aspect of the build.
Mark Donnelly, chief operating officer, OVG International, said: "We’re committed to maximising training and employment opportunities during the construction of Co-op Live.
"It’s brilliant to see the first 10 apprentices working on site and we recognise the role apprenticeships play in up-skilling people, and I’m excited to continue working with Bam and others to deliver 100 apprenticeships who will help bring one of the world’s greatest arenas to Manchester."
Ian Fleming, BAM’s regional director, added: "These are exciting times for Manchester and for my team across the whole of the North West.
"As the construction partners for this amazing new arena, our commitment to the city cannot be spelled out any better than by using the work we do to improve local people’s life chances in this way.
"It’s a brilliant opportunity to give something back to the working life of the city we have built so much of, for so long."
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Fern Pritchard, apprentice at Co-op Live, said: "I’ve found through personal experience over the last five years that apprenticeships are a brilliant way to grow your skillset all while continuing to earn a salary.
"I’m looking forward to completing my level six degree in project management and can’t think of a more exciting project in the country to be working on than Co-op Live."
