The Prime Minister has unveiled a fundamental change to the education system, with the launch of technical educational routes. The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with valuable early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers.

The Prime Minister 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 will say ‘whether you choose construction, coding or classics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve’.

From age 14 (Year 10), students will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area. They will 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 will mean young people can 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.

To support this, the Government will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work. The Government 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.

The changes announced today are just the first step in the Prime Minister’s plans to tackle the youth unemployment crisis.

Prime Minister Andy 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.

“In a fundamental change to the education system, we will introduce new technical education pathways from 14 – prestigious routes that will give students the chance to combine the core academic subjects with the skills, technical knowledge and experience they 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 and be given the respect you deserve.

“Fixing the youth unemployment crisis in Britain will require a major shake-up in how we do things – and that’s what this government will do. I want to ensure that our education system leaves no dead ends for our young people. The changes we’re announcing today will just be the start of our work to restore opportunity and hope across the country.”

The PM also announced:

New bursary supports young people by removing a key financial barrier to apprenticeships.
Thousands more college places to expand access to skills and training close to home.
Free apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s from August, up to £8,000 in support for SMEs hiring young apprentices, and NICs relief for apprentices under 25 will help deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships.

Kohler Mira’s Senior Channel Manager, Megan Cox-Chanin, said:

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition to put technical education on an equal footing with academic routes. For too long, many young people have been unaware of the rewarding careers available in skilled trades such as plumbing and installation. However, inspiring the next generation is only half the challenge. To turn interest into opportunity, businesses, manufacturers and employers must play their part by providing meaningful work experience, apprenticeships and clear pathways into the industry – and government must support to make this practically and financially viable.  If we want more young people to choose a career in the trades, and to support the industry itself with a talent pipeline, both elements need to be there.”

David Young, Bradfords Building Supplies CEO, added: 

“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.”