Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants more work experience in the education system.
Andy Burnham’s Labour Government has announced a major change to schooling in the UK. When teenaged pupils hit Year 10, they will be able to take on a technical education alongside their core academic subjects.
The new Prime Minister said he wants there to be “no dead ends” for young people coming out of education, and for technical pathways to be put on an equal footing with traditional academic routes. The “prestigious” new technical pathways, which will pair skills training with work experience and connections with local employers, are set to be rolled out from September 2028.
Unveiling his plans, Mr Burnham said: “For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected.
“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications. I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.
“From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.”
The PM said he wants more vocational training for young people (Image: Getty)
Mr Burnham added he wanted a “a fundamental change to the education system” to “introduce new technical education pathways from 14” with what he called: “prestigious routes that will give students the chance to combine the core academic subjects with the skills, technical knowledge and experience that need to get quality, well-paid jobs where they live.
“My message to young people is this – whether you choose construction, coding or classics, or maths, manufacturing or mechanics, you’ll get the skills you need to be given the respect you deserve.”
The announcement comes amid concerns about the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet), which is now more than one million.
The Government has said it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work.
Meanwhile, Ofsted will change the way they inspect schools and measure performance, ensuring they recognise schools that provide high quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence employers are seeking.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together to create the new technical pathways, which can be tailored around local industries and growth sectors.
The new PM said he wants ‘fundamental’ change in education (Image: Getty)
These could include advanced manufacturing, AI, digital and technology, clean energy, life sciences, construction, healthcare or the creative industries, depending on local strengths.
This forms part of the Government’s wider programme of devolution, giving local leaders more power over education for 14 to 16-year-olds.
The reforms are said to be building on initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), which is a technical education alternative to the academic English Baccalaureate (EBacc).
Key Burnham ally and education secretary Lucy Powell said: “By offering high-quality technical and vocational education alongside academic achievement, we’ll give more young people the chance to leave education with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s economy and the careers of the future.”
The changes follow Alan Milburn’s warning in his May report that Britain risks leaving behind a “lost generation” of young people ill-prepared for work.
Mr Milburn said these reforms are “very welcome”, adding: “They are a big step in the right direction and consistent with the findings of my review.”
However, shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: “The announcements today don’t come anywhere close to undoing the damage Labour has already done to the job market.
“Labour’s policies are driving youth unemployment to record highs.
“They are making it too expensive to hire young people, and destroying jobs with their jobs tax and employer red tape.”
She branded the announcement “all over the place”, arguing: “Labour have literally just legislated to strip schools of their freedom to choose what’s best for the pupils they’re teaching, yet now they imply it should be locally tailored.”
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said the plan “must come in with built-in safeguards to allow young people the flexibility to retrospectively change direction and move between ‘academic’ and ‘technical’”.
She added: “We must not allow these changes to predetermine children’s futures at just 14, baking in disadvantage.”