Our House - Halls for Apprentices

The idea is being explored by Co-operatives UK, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, a number of Greater Manchester employers and young people. The Our House pilot would offer young people the chance to live away from home with the support that halls of residences-style accommodation traditionally provided to university students. 

The pilot will aim to establish 'halls for apprentices', a new type of halls of residence where apprentices live and thrive while they work and study.​ 

A growing demand for 'halls for apprentices' from young people

This research has resulted in a report, published by Co-operatives UK and funded by The Co-operative Bank, Accommodation and Apprenticeships: Research into young people’s views. The research included a UK wide YouGov survey, and a survey and focus groups with young people in Greater Manchester. 

The findings highlight a growing demand for “halls for apprentices” – residential communities designed specifically for those pursuing degree and higher apprenticeships:

• 74% of young people surveyed in Greater Manchester said more would choose apprenticeships if halls were available.
• 84% of young people surveyed across the UK said the desire to live independently influences their education choices.
• 85% of young people surveyed across the UK agreed that accommodation costs heavily impact their career pathways. 

Backed by Greater Manchester employers

Our House will look to introduce a pilot “halls for apprentices” in Greater Manchester, led by Rose Marley, CEO of Co‑operatives UK and several employers in the region. Recently, at a roundtable hosted at The Co-operative Bank's head office, around 20 employers, including KPMG and ITV, gathered to hear about Our House and our research. It was also attended by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester. There was a hugely positive response to the idea, captured in this short video. 

Supporting the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate

The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, the MBacc, is set to transform technical education in the Greater Manchester city-region, growing the economy and helping all our young people fulfil their potential. ​ 

Co-designed by education and business leaders, the MBacc will open a clear pathway from school to high-quality jobs in growing areas of economy and create a genuine and equal alternative to the well-trodden university route that currently exists.​ 

Apprenticeships – practical training whilst working in a paid job – will be central to this. Higher/degree apprenticeships at age 18 will result in skilled technicians and professionals – potentially becoming the ‘missing middle’ of the labour market. 

​Apprenticeships have the potential to offer higher levels of social mobility, to be more inclusive of apprentices from poorer families, and provide opportunities for young people to earn while they learn.​​ 

Next Steps

We are committed to understanding the needs of young people; their related experiences and the extent to which accommodation currently impacts their choices and decisions about higher education.  

Our House sits within a suite of member-led initiatives across Greater Manchester, based on the principles of co-operation, where all stakeholders are able to have a say in things that matter to them. See Our Pass and Our Business GM.