The manufacturing industry in Greater Manchester has called on the next mayor to invest in regional rail links, improve training facilities to boost skills and accelerate digital infrastructure development.
In a statement issued ahead of the mayoral election on May 6, Make UK has said the winner should deliver investment in regional infrastructure, particularly East-West rail links like HS3 to "boost job creation and the local economy".
The organisation is also calling for them to improve the quality of training facilities to a standard of North West Training Council (NWTC) to deliver the jobs of the future as well as accelerate the levelling up agenda, particularly development of digital infrastructure to help manufacturers invest in 4.0 technology and take advantage of the local Made Smarter roll out.
Nine candidates will be on the ballot paper for the Greater Manchester mayoral elections on May 6.
Andy Burnham, who has held the £110,000-a-year role since 2017, will be standing for re-election as the Labour and Co-operative Party candidate.
Former Trafford councillor Laura Evans is standing for the Conservatives while Simon Lepori has been chosen to represent the Liberal Democrats.
Melanie Horrocks is the Green Party candidate, Nick Buckley will stand for Reform UK and Stephen Morris, general secretary for the Workers of England trade union, will be standing for the English Democrats.
David Sutcliffe, a former Greater Manchester Police officer, will be standing as a self-styled ‘anti-corruption’ candidate.
Marcus Farmer and Alec Marvel will be running as independents.
June Smith, Make UK region director – North, said: "The North West has the largest manufacturing output of any UK region. We’re proud of our sector and the role it has played in responding to the challenges of these past years.
"As we now look forward, it is more important than ever that the Mayor elected in May, renews efforts to strengthen local makers.
"Manchester’s manufacturers will continue to drive growth, creating well paid, skilled jobs. Moving towards net-zero provides new opportunities in skills but we must work with others to reform training and apprenticeships if opportunities are to be fully realised.
"The mayor must work to support infrastructure investment across the North West, to boost future inward investment and accelerate the delivery of those digital and green technologies."
Andrea Hough, managing director at Atec Engineering Solutions, added: "We know all about the strengths of the region and it’s vital that the mayor listens to the priorities set out by Make UK and fellow members.
"We need to see positive action to ensure we, alongside the manufacturing community, can thrive and in doing so provide fantastic opportunities and careers for people based in Greater Manchester."
The Greater Manchester mayoral elections and local council elections were due to take place last May but were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
