Prime minister Andy Burnham will implement changes to the education system encouraging 14-year-olds into construction and other technical skills
UK technical education will see schools, colleges, mayors, local leaders, and employers collaborate to encourage young people into skilled professions and apprenticeships as much as higher education.
The details will be given later today alongside the launch of the new technical education routes.
Young teens will have early access to technical skills
Skills will be accessible to young people vie work experience and training working with local employers.
This will include construction, as the PM says: “Whether you choose construction, coding or classics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve.”
Students will be able to combine their core academic subjects, including English, maths, and science, with a technical education linked to jobs available to them locally, allowing them to get hands-on experience both in the job and in the real world.
This will build on the success of local initiatives, including the MBacc in Greater Manchester, which gave young people skills in engineering, healthcare, and digital technology. Using this model, other regional mayors, local leaders, and educational facilities will create a tailored path for their local industries, growth sectors, and demographic of young people. They will have the freedom to shape the pathways to suit their area and support their local economy.
The first pathways will roll out next year
The government will work with these areas to create the pathways, and the first ones are expected to roll out in September 2028.
It is expected that with the continuation of the 1.5m housebuilding target, the economic struggle that the construction industry faces, and the skills crisis, this move, if successful, will support the industry with fresh workers. However, as it is not completely construction-focused, it remains to be seen to what extent this will help.
Employers should keep an eye out and see if their local authorities’ pathway can affect them.
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.
“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.”
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