- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to unveil the biggest overhaul of the education system in 15 years, aiming to tackle a “lost generation” of one million young people who are unemployed or not in education.
- The reforms will prioritise technical training, putting it on an equal footing with academic qualifications, a significant shift from the previous emphasis on university pathways.
- Under the new plans, 14-year-olds will be able to combine core academic subjects with technical education linked to local job markets, gaining work experience and employer connections.
- The initiative seeks to provide clear, respected pathways for all young people, ensuring they develop skills relevant to local industries and have “no dead ends” in their educational journey.
- The proposals have been welcomed by business leaders and trade unions but have drawn criticism from the Tory shadow education secretary, Laura Trott.
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