Schools to offer technical subjects to pupils from age 14 in England, Burnham says
Students will combine core subjects with technical training and work experience, as the government says the move will help tackle youth unemployment.
- On Tuesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new technical education pathways for 14-year-olds starting September 2028, combining core academic subjects with vocational training and work experience to combat youth unemployment.
- The reforms follow an interim report from former Labour minister Alan Milburn, published in May, warning Britain risks a 'lost generation' with over 1 million young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment, or training.
- Education Secretary Lucy Powell confirmed the government will prioritize existing £570 million for college places alongside a wider £4.7 billion education settlement agreed at the 2025 Spending Review to support these pathways.
- NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman welcomed the ambition but cautioned the announcement provides a 'direction of travel' rather than detailed proposals, with schools requiring greater clarity on funding and practical implementation.
- Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticized the plan as 'all over the place,' arguing it lacks detail and fails to address job market damage, while ministers maintain the reforms ensure 'no dead ends' for young people.
58 Articles
58 Articles
UK’s New Prime Minister Ends Blair’s University Vision With Skills Push
Britain’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has announced plans to reverse former Labour leader Tony Blair’s drive to get half of young people to attend university, saying there must be more focus on work-based education. Unveiling his plan to tackle soaring youth unemployment on Tuesday, Burnham said that under his premiership, Britain would “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.” High school pupils aged 14–18 in England w…
The initiative seeks that students from the age of 14 opt for technical training, so that this type of education is as valued as the academic one.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
The Bedford College Group welcomes Prime Minister's technical education reforms as catalyst for regional growth
The Bedford College Group, which spans Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's announcement of a fundamental shift in technical education, describing it as a landmark opportunity to transform skills, employability and economic growth across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the wider region.
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