Education reforms to raise the profile of technical education nationwide

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced changes to the education system that will raise of the profile of technical education by offering new pathways for Year 10 students.

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 and include real-world experience with employers.

Plans echo the Prime Minister’s work during his time as Greater Manchester Mayor when he introduced the Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) to put technical education on an equal footing to pursuing university-level education for young people in the city-region. Participating students in Greater Manchester study core subjects of English Language and Literature, Maths, Sciences and ICT, as well as optional subjects taken from a choice of Engineering, Design & Technology, Business Studies, Drama, Music and Performing Arts.

Under plans to empower technical education, regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together to shape the new technical education pathways, which can be tailored around local industries and growth sectors. These could include advanced manufacturing, AI, digital and technology, clean energy, life sciences, construction, health and care, or the creative industries, depending on local strengths and where the jobs of the future are being created.

As well as helping to address local skills needs, proposals also hope to engage more young people earlier in their education who are otherwise struggling to make the transition from schools and colleges and into the workplace, and help bring down the numbers of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not education, employment or training.

Many business groups have welcomed the changes that look to help prepare more young people for the workplace.

Neil Davy, CEO of Family Business UK said:

“We welcome the Government’s effort to help more young people into good work and recognise that achieving this ambition will require genuine partnership between government, employers and educators. Family Business UK (FBUK) stands ready to play its part and mobilise family businesses from across the UK in support of the government’s objectives. Family businesses can make significant commitments on recruitment, training and investment and we look forward to working in partnership with government to address the barriers that are stopping family firms from doing so.”

Stephen Phibson, CEO of Make UK representing the manufacturing sector, said:

“These reforms have the potential to elevate technical routes, ensuring they are recognised as prestigious, aspirational and essential to the country’s future success.

“Manufacturers are passionate about opening young people’s eyes to the exciting careers our sector offers. From designing the technologies of tomorrow to building the products that power everyday life, manufacturing provides rewarding, secure and highly skilled opportunities. We look forward to working with the Government to turn this vision into reality, building on the success of initiatives such as National Manufacturing Day to forge stronger links between education and industry, bridge the gap between classroom and career, and inspire the talent that will shape Britain’s industrial future.”