Andy Burnham is set to unveil the biggest overhaul in education in 15 years.
ending a system that prioritises preparing children for university over technical training.
The prime minister is to announce the changes as part of a new drive to tackle “a lost generation” with 1 million young people unemployed or trapped outside education.
It comes after he revealed to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that he plans to bring down the welfare bill by making benefits conditional on people finding work, especially ones linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and stress.
But the move to value “the hard hat as much as the graduation cap” is another break with the legacy of former Labour prime minister Sir Tony Blair, which saw vocational qualifications downgraded in favour of getting 50 per cent of school leavers into university.
Ahead of the announcement, Mr Burnham said: “For too long, students in this country have been told they must take the academic path to succeed and 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 the 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.”
He added: “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 provides clear pathways 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.”
It represents the biggest shift in education since Michael Gove rolled out the school academies and free school reforms in 2011.
But the focus on vocational qualifications also comes at a time when graduates are being hit with massive levels of debt from paying for tuition fees while many are struggling to find employment.
The new pathways of prestigious technical routes will provide 14-year-olds with early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers.
Mr Burnham believes that funding for the changes will come from the existing £570m investment to create additional college places across the country, alongside the wider Department for Education settlement agreed at the 2025 Spending Review, which will increase schools’ funding by £4.7bn by 2028-29.
The prime minister has made it clear that he is determined to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path and to ensure there are “no dead ends” for young people coming out of the education system.
This will mean that students, parents and employers value and respect high-quality technical education routes. In a message directly to students, he will say, “Whether you choose construction, coding or classics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve.”
Under the plans, from age 14 (Year 10), students will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science – with technical education linked to jobs available in their area. They will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience.
Mr Burnham believes he will be building on initiatives which he championed as mayor of Manchester, such as the MBacc (Greater Manchester Baccalaureate), and the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare and digital technology, skilling them up with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need.
As part of his devolution plans, 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.
The prime minister will pledge that the government will prioritise funding for high-quality technical education and practical routes into work. The government will also change how it measures school performance. Inspectors will recognise schools that provide high-quality technical education and support young people in developing the skills, experience and confidence employers want.
It comes after former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn’s interim report warned that Britain is at risk of a “lost generation”, with over a million 16- to 24-year-olds now not in education, employment or training.
His findings painted a stark picture of a system that too often leaves young people leaving school without the skills, experience or connections they need to step into the world of work.
Mr Milburn said: “The changes the PM is announcing today are very welcome. They are a big step in the right direction and consistent with the findings of my review. A whole-system reset is needed across health, welfare and labour market policy, as well as in education and skills.
Business leaders and trade unions have also welcomed the move. Michelle Ovens, chief executive of Small Business Britain, said: “This is a significant step towards preparing young people for the future, which must include business skills and entrepreneurship as core to the changing world of work.”
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Putting technical education on the same level as academia brings us closer to the international standard for skills.”
But Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: “The announcements today do not come close to reversing the damage Labour has already done to the job market.
“Labour’s policies are driving youth unemployment to record highs. They are making it too expensive to hire young people and are destroying jobs with their jobs tax and employer red tape. When it’s easier for young people to claim benefits than get a job, it’s no wonder youth unemployment is rocketing.”
