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New technical education routes in schools will be available to 14-year-olds as part of a reform drive by prime minister Andy Burnham to tackle youth unemployment.

He has announced that Year 10 pupils will be able to combine core academic subjects, such as English and maths, with technical education linked to jobs available in their area.

The new technical pathways, which will pair skills training with work experience and connections with local employers, are to be rolled out from September 2028.

However, union leaders have called the timing of the policy - after most schools have broken up for the holidays - “unfortunate”, and urged the government to release more detailed proposals.

Ofsted will also be tasked with ensuring that schools provide high-quality technical education as part of its inspections.

Valuing ‘hard hats as much as graduation caps’

The new prime minister, who entered No 10 last week, said: “For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected.

“The whole school system has been built around it, and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.”

Mr Burnham continued: “I want an education system based on parity between 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.”

The announcement comes amid concerns about the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet), which is now more than one million.

A landmark review into the Neet crisis stated in its interim report that the school system does too little to prepare students for work and support those most at risk of unemployment.

Ofsted to inspect technical education pathways

Announcing the plans, the government said it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work.

Ofsted will be expected to change the way it inspects schools and measures performance to recognise schools that provide high-quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence employers are seeking.

Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together to create the technical pathways, which can be tailored around local industries and growth sectors.

This forms part of the government’s wider programme of devolution, giving local leaders more power over education for 14- to 16-year-olds.

Future of curriculum reforms in question

However, the government has not confirmed how this will impact curriculum and assessment reforms.

The revised national curriculum is due to go out again for consultation in spring 2027, with implementation set for September 2028.

The Burnham government’s reforms are said to be building on initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, or MBacc, which the prime minister took a lead on when he was mayor of the region.

Education secretary Lucy Powell, who replaced Bridget Phillipson last week following a cabinet reshuffle, said that all young people should be able to see a route to success.

“It marks 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 said.

“By offering high-quality technical and vocational education alongside academic achievement, we’ll give more young people the chance to leave education with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s economy and the careers of the future.”

Schools to seek clarity on funding and timescales

Sector leaders welcomed the focus on technical education, but raised concerns over a lack of detailed proposals.

“The government must work to sensible and achievable timescales before implementing this policy,” said Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

He added: “Bringing local politicians, school and college leaders and employers together is a noble objective, but to do it properly requires time, a national framework to work within, and investment. Right now there is little detail about what this will look like in practice.”

His concerns were shared by Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union.

“This announcement sets out a direction of travel rather than detailed proposals, and schools will need much greater clarity about what it means in practice and over funding,” Mr Whiteman said.

He added: “It is important that any reforms are developed with the profession, fit alongside wider curriculum and assessment changes, and are realistic about schools’ capacity to build employer partnerships and secure meaningful work experience opportunities.”

‘Unfortunate’ timing in school holidays

However, Mr Di’Iasio described the timing of the announcement as “unfortunate”.

“To make major educational policy announcements in the middle of the summer holiday is wrong, particularly when there is so little detail,” he said.

Technical routes for this age group already exist in the form of University Technical Colleges, or UTCs. These were set up in 2010 under the coalition government as a 14-19 school, which allowed students to take technical qualifications alongside academic ones. There are 44 currently open, according to the Baker Dearing Tust charity that supports them.

In 2024, 91���� magazine featured a proposal for a “UTC Sleeve” that is similar to the newly announced plans.

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