Burnham to end prioritising university places in biggest schools reform for 15 years

Andy Burnham is preparing to carry out the biggest overhaul in education in 15 years, ending the system that prioritizes preparing children for university rather than technical education.

The Prime Minister will announce the changes as part of an effort to tackle a “lost generation” where 1 million young people are unemployed or stuck out of education.

This comes after he revealed to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that he plans to cut the benefits bill by making benefits conditional on people finding work, especially those linked to mental health problems such as anxiety and stress.

But the move to value “hard hats at the graduation cap” marks another break with former Labor prime minister Sir Tony Blair’s legacy, in which he downgraded vocational qualifications in favor of 50 per cent of school leavers going to university.

Ahead of the announcement, Mr Burnham said: “For too long in this country students have been told that to succeed and be respected you have to follow the academic route. The whole school system has been built around this and this has frustrated young people looking for technical qualifications.”

“I want an education system based on equality between academic and technical, offering all young people a clear path in life. From today, Britain will value hard hats as much as graduation caps.”

He added: “Solving the UK’s youth unemployment crisis will require a major change in the way we do business, and that’s what this government will do. I want to ensure our education system leaves no dead ends for our young people. The changes we’re announcing today will be just the start of our work to restore opportunity and hope across the country.”

This represents the biggest change in education since Michael Gove introduced school academies and free school reforms in 2011.

But the focus on professional qualifications comes at a time when graduates face huge debts from paying tuition fees and many are struggling to find work.

New routes into prestigious technical routes will give 14-year-olds early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers.

Mr Burnham believes funding for the changes will come from the existing £570 million investment to create additional university places across the country, as well as the wider Department for Education deal agreed in the 2025 Spending Review, which increases schools funding by £4.7 billion by 2028-29.

The Prime Minister has made clear that he is determined to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic pathway and ensure there are no “dead ends” left for young people exiting the education system.

This will mean providing high-quality technical education routes that are valued and respected by students, parents and employers. “Whether you choose construction, coding, or the classics, you’ll gain the skills you need and get the respect you deserve,” he will say in a message sent directly to students.

According to the plans, students from the age of 14 (Grade 10) will have the opportunity to combine core academic subjects, including English, mathematics and science, with technical training linked to available jobs in their field. They will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience.

Mr Burnham believes it will build on initiatives such as the MBacc (Greater Manchester Baccalaureate) which he supported as mayor of Manchester, and new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in fields such as engineering, healthcare and digital technology, equipping them with the specific knowledge and skills local employers need.

As part of the empowerment plans, regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together to shape new technical education pathways that can be tailored to local industries and growing sectors.

The Prime Minister will promise that the government will prioritize funding for high-quality technical education and practical pathways to work. The government will also change the way school performance is measured. Inspectors will recognize schools that provide high-quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence employers want.

It comes after former Labor Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn’s interim report warned that Britain risks a “lost generation”, with more than a million young people aged 16 to 24 not currently in education, employment or training.

Their findings painted a stark picture of a system that leaves young school leavers without the skills, experience or connections they need to enter the world of work.

Mr Milburn said: “The changes the Prime Minister has announced today are very welcome. They are a major step in the right direction and are consistent with the findings of my review. A complete system reset is needed on education and skills, as well as health, welfare and labor market policy.”

The move was also welcomed by business leaders and unions. Michelle Ovens, chief executive of Small Business Britain, said: “This is a major step towards preparing young people for the future, which must include business skills and entrepreneurship as the core of the changing world of work.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Putting technical education on an equal footing with academia brings us closer to international standards for skills.”

But Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: “Today’s announcements do not come close to undoing the damage Labor has already done to the job market.

“Labour’s policies are driving youth unemployment to record levels. They are making it very expensive to employ young people and are destroying jobs with Jobs Tax and employer red tape. When it is easier for young people to claim benefits than to find work, it is no surprise that youth unemployment is soaring.”