The Prime Minister has unveiled what he called "a fundamental change to the education system", with the launch of new technical educational routes that aim to provide 14-year-olds with early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers.
Andy Burnham said he is determined to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path and to ensure there are ‘no dead ends' for young people coming out of the education system. This means providing high-quality technical education routes that are valued and respected by students, parents and employers. In a message directly to students, he said: "whether you choose construction, coding or classics, you'll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve".
As a result, from age 14 (Year 10), students should now have the chance to combine core academic subjects, including English, maths and science, with a high-quality technical education that is linked to the jobs available in their area. They should be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience.
Building on successful local initiatives, such as the MBacc in Greater Manchester, the new technical routes are expected to allow young people to develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare and digital technology, skilling them up with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will be expected to work together to shape the new technical education pathways, which can be tailored around local industries and growth sectors. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system designed in Whitehall, the approach aims to allow areas to shape education around the industries that matter and are growing in their communities. Construction was one of the sectors cited as likely to benefit from the measure.
To support this, the government will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work. It will also change the way school performance is measured. Inspectors will recognise the schools that provide high-quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence employers want.
Burnham hopes that, together, these changes can give schools clear incentives and strong support to expand high-quality technical pathways, rather than treating technical education as an optional add-on or a less valued alternative to academic study. This will also ensure that the new technical pathways are properly recognised alongside academic achievement, so young people have real choice over their future.
Reacting to the announcement, David Young, Bradfords Building Supplies CEO, said: "For too long, vocational and technical careers have been viewed as a second choice for young people when, in reality, they underpin some of the UK's most important industries. Construction is facing a long-term skills challenge, and if we're serious about building the homes, infrastructure and sustainable communities the country needs, we must do more to attract young people into the sector.
"Giving technical education greater prominence is a positive step, particularly if it helps young people understand the breadth of opportunities available in construction and the wider building materials and merchanting industry. However, success will depend on employers, educators and government working closely together to ensure training reflects the skills businesses actually need.
"At Bradfords, we've long believed in investing in apprenticeships and developing talent from within. Young people need to see that there are rewarding, long-term careers available across our industry, whether that's in the trades, merchanting, manufacturing, logistics or leadership roles. Raising the profile of those opportunities can only be a good thing for the future of construction."
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, added: "Vocational and technical roles have long been treated as a career of last resort. Today's announcement is an important recognition that construction and other skilled trades deserve to be valued every bit as highly as traditional academic routes. If we are serious about tackling youth unemployment and delivering the skilled workforce the country needs, we must give young people clearer pathways into rewarding careers in construction.
"We particularly welcome the commitment to link technical education more closely to local labour market needs, but builders must not be forgotten in this mix. Builders do not exist in pockets, like manufacturing, but are a nationwide network. Small builders train a large proportion of the construction workforce and have first-hand knowledge of the skills their communities require. Builders must be given a seat at the table as these reforms are developed. They will be instrumental in providing work experience, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, and their expertise will be crucial to ensuring that training meets the needs of both learners and industry."
