Education agency to move to North West
A LONDON-based agency responisble for training teachers and other academic staff is moving to the North West.
The Training and Development Agency for Schools will bring with it 250 jobs when it moves to Manchester next year.
A spokeswoman said today: “The move to the North West has been in the pipeline for around two years and we’ll begin the transition in April or May this year and hopefully complete it by early 2010.”
The TDA will initially be based in Bruntwood’s City Tower in Piccadilly, before moving to nearby Piccadilly Gate, which is being refurbished.
It is moving to the North West under the terms of the Lyons Review, which recommends shifting key government departments and agencies out of London to lower cost locations, giving regional economies a big boost.
Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA said: “Our arrival in Manchester is exciting news for the city and region, and a fresh start for us. Manchester was chosen after extensive consultation.
“It is a dynamic and vibrant city, and I am looking forward to welcoming the skilled and enthusiastic professionals of Manchester and the surrounding regions who will be joining us.”
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “The decision by the TDA to choose Manchester as its new home is great news.
“Our city region offers a wide catchment area of first-rate employees with excellent transport links accessing the rest of the country – and we look forward to providing further assistance to the TDA in creating an exceptional educational body.”
