THE Mayor of Greater Manchester gave up his time to talk to students at Wigan & Leigh College last week.

Andy Burnham spent a considerable amount of time with Level 3 Public Services and HND Public Services students on his first visit to the new Centre of Advanced Technical Studies campus in the centre of Wigan.

The former Labour MP for Leigh talked to the students about their career plans as well as his own journey into politics and becoming the first Greater Manchester elected Mayor, chatting to the young people about his experiences of Westminster, being in the cabinet under a Labour government and his thoughts on the state of politics now.

Leigh Journal: Andy spoke to students about their future careers, his journey into politics and his role as Mayor of Greater ManchesterAndy spoke to students about their future careers, his journey into politics and his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester

Pupils asked the Mayor questions on a range of issues, such as what changes would he implement in Greater Manchester to tackle climate change, what his biggest pressures are as Mayor, and why bus travel in the area is so expensive.

The cost of public transport is said to be one of his biggest targets as Mayor, in addition to making this electric to meet the carbon-net zero targets of the region. Wigan, Leigh and Bolton are predicted to be the first towns to benefit from these plans, planned to be completed in the first half of 2023.

Giving advice to those interested in pursuing a career in politics, Mr Burnham said: "I didn’t believe at your age that I could have done what I have done. You can often achieve more than you think if you keep a sense of belief and focus."

Leigh Journal: The talk took place at ew Centre for the new Advanced Technical Studies building in WiganThe talk took place at ew Centre for the new Advanced Technical Studies building in Wigan

His talk was well received by all in attendance, with some students describing the Mayor as an "inspiration" who shows you can do anything in life you put your mind to.

Public Services Lecturer, Toni Evans added: “It was a privilege to welcome Andy to meet our students, who enjoyed meeting an influential person who was brought up in similar circumstances to a lot of them, and so they can be inspired to see that anyone with the right will and inclination can make a difference. A great opportunity for our learners.”