Secondary school pupils in England will soon have the opportunity to study technical subjects such as manufacturing and artificial intelligence alongside core academic learning. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the reforms, which will make these courses available from Year 10, aiming to provide young people with clearer routes into employment.

The initiative is designed to address the issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neet), a figure that has risen to over one million across the UK, the highest in more than 12 years. The government stated that the new vocational courses would be linked to local industries, creating a more direct connection between education and the workforce.

Speaking at a train manufacturing site in Derby, Prime Minister Burnham emphasized the need for a more balanced education system. He stated that the current focus on a university-only route sends a message of inferiority to some young people and that an education system working for all, balancing academic and technical pathways, is essential.

The government anticipates that these new pathways into work could be operational in some areas by 2028. Prime Minister Burnham expressed his mission to reduce the number of Neet individuals but declined to set a specific target date, acknowledging the current rising trend. He stated the immediate priority is to halt this increase.

However, the announcement has drawn some criticism. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately suggested that while improving vocational education has broad support, this particular announcement lacked boldness. She attributed a shortage of jobs to government policies and argued that the proposed changes would not resolve the underlying issues.

Under the proposed reforms, students would continue with core subjects like maths, English, and science, with the option to combine them with technical education. The program aims to include work experience opportunities and foster connections with local employers. The government also suggested that the policy could eventually lead to reduced welfare spending on young people.

While some business leaders welcomed the move, others pointed to different solutions for boosting youth employment. Jon White, chief financial officer at building materials firm Huws Gray, highlighted a lack of incentives for employers to hire younger staff. He suggested changes to the apprenticeship levy system, proposing that it be usable for wages as well as training.

Schools and colleges expressed support for the prime minister's ambition but raised concerns about potential capacity issues in implementing the new vocational courses. Further details on the practical implementation and how the courses would function in areas with limited industrial activity are yet to be published.