Secondary school pupils in England will be able to study subjects like manufacturing and AI in addition to core academic learning under reforms outlined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The government stated that these courses, which would be available from Year 10, are designed to be linked to local industries and provide children with a clearer pathway into work. While the government has described this policy as a fundamental change to the education system, few specific details behind the broad political vision have been published so far. The government expects these new pathways into work to be operational in some areas by 2028.
Writing in The Times, Burnham stated that in the age of AI, practical and technical skills have become more valuable than ever. He emphasized that Britain will need brilliant engineers, electricians, and cybersecurity experts, noting that for the first time, technical education will be at the heart of the curriculum rather than bolted onto the sides. Pupils will continue to study core maths, English, and science, but will have the option of combining these with technical education. This will include the chance to gain work experience and create connections with local employers, with the government stating the policy will eventually drive down the amount spent on welfare for young people. Burnham noted that for too long, students have been told to prioritize academic subjects, and that a technical education should be valued as much as a university degree, a shift which began under Sir Keir Starmer.
The policy builds on local initiatives like the MBacc, or Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, launched in September 2024 by Burnham when he was the city's mayor. This programme provided a framework for pupils to pick GCSE subjects in both academic and technical areas that align with growing local industries, such as green energy or digital. Teenagers under this programme have also been promised more careers advice and work experience that links to seven sectors of work. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said the announcement marked the start of a real shared effort with employers, businesses, mayors, and councils to design an education system that connects young people to jobs and careers in their local area. She added that the technological revolution should mean young people become the fresh lifeblood the economy needs to adapt and grow.
Data published this year showed more than one million young people across the UK were not in education, employment, or training, the highest level in more than 12 years. In May, an interim report by former minister Alan Milburn warned that this number risked leading to a lost generation. That report was published the same day as figures from the Office for National Statistics showed more than one in eight of UK 16- to 24-year-olds were not in education, employment, or training at the start of this year. Milburn stated that the changes announced by Burnham were consistent with the findings of his review. Meanwhile, some young people continue to face significant job shortages, with some reporting they have applied for more than 400 roles.
The Association of School and College Leaders welcomed the ambition of preventing young people from falling out of education or work at 16, but warned that with schools already facing tight budgets and implementing radical reforms to special education needs, there could be an issue with capacity. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, also welcomed the announcement but called for greater clarity about funding and practical details. Additionally, Ofsted will change the way it measures performance and will inspect for technical education, though it is not yet clear how this will fit alongside national measures designed to hold schools to account.
Political reaction included criticism from Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott, who said the announcements do not come anywhere close to undoing the damage Labour has already done to the job market, adding that the focus should be on the knowledge-rich curriculum that has helped the most deprived children. Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said there must be provisions to allow pupils flexibility to change direction and move between academic and technical subjects, warning that the government must not allow these changes to predetermine children's futures at just 14, baking in disadvantage. Opportunities are currently shrinking for too many young people, according to a major report on the lost generation.
These changes follow the 2020 introduction of T-levels as a technical education alternative to A-Levels in England, covering subjects like construction, agriculture, and health. Former prime minister Sir Keir announced earlier this year that V-levels would be an additional vocational option for students post-16 from 2027. While T-levels are a set course broadly equivalent to three A-levels, V-levels would be equivalent to one A-level, allowing students to mix and match academic and vocational subjects. While the changes announced on Tuesday will only impact England, improving access to technical and vocational education has been a common focus for governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in recent years.
