Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced an expansion of technical education, which will see children as young as 14 gain access to skills training. Schools are to be linked with local employers to offer more focused training, with studies in areas such as construction, coding, or classics offered alongside core subjects.
Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, warned young people against relying on "safe and secure jobs" due to disruption in the job market from AI and other technologies. He stated that changes to the education system were "more urgent" and that young people need to consider skills and education to secure their futures.
Under the new plans, Ofsted, the schools regulator, will monitor how schools prepare students for work, including the quality of technical education. Local councils will also be able to tailor curriculums to industries relevant to their communities.
The funding for this overhaul will be drawn from the existing Department for Education budget. The announcement builds on a previous decision to set a new aim for two-thirds of young people under 25 to pursue university or apprenticeships.