New technical and vocational education programmes for secondary pupils must be inclusive and accessible to all, including young people with SEND, teachers’ leaders said.
Responding to a major announcement by Andy Burnham, the prime minister, who outlined plans for new routes into the workplace and adulthood to combat the number of NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training), unions called on the government to work with them to “avoid the pitfalls of the past”.
According to figures released earlier this year, young people with a SEND are around 80% more likely to be NEET than their peers. The report said the existing exam system was partly to blame.
Under the government’s proposals, pupils will be able to combine core academic subjects with technical education, employer projects and workplace experience from year 10.
Patchy provision
Although many schools already do this, the take-up of alternative qualifications is patchy, and careers education often non-existent.
Downing Street said that “most secondary schools already offer some form of technical qualification, but the prime minister’s new plan will boost the quality, availability and status of the offer”.
The pathways would be shaped by strategic, devolved authorities, together with councils, schools, colleges and employers and will respond to the needs of industries and businesses in their areas.
The model has achieved some success in the north-west of England, where Burnham introduced the Manchester Baccalaureate – or MBacc – during his time as mayor.
Education is about more than simply a pipeline to work
Pupils would continue to study English, maths and science while accessing technical training, practical projects set by businesses, visits to employers and work experience.
Local pathways might include on sectors such advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, clean energy, life sciences, construction, health and care or the creative industries.
Parity of esteem
However, heads and teachers’ leaders expressed concern at the lack of funding for the initiative, and other unanswered questions, and are critical that the plan was unveiled in the middle of the summer break.
They also want to see an acknowledgement by Ofsted of parity of esteem between academic and vocational programmes of study so that schools are not disadvantaged if they have large numbers of pupils on technical courses.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Andy Burnham’s first announcement should have been that he will end austerity in education. These proposed changes to technical education are welcome, but they will hit the skids unless there is sufficient investment in schools.
“Where will the teachers, lecturers and physical infrastructure to support these new routes come from without proper funding?
“Broader options and flexibility for students are in principle a positive step forward, but if the government’s plans close doors for young people by narrowing their options at 14 this may place limits on their future opportunities.
“This will disproportionately hit the most disadvantaged. It is right to focus on improving the escalating NEET issue, but education is about more than simply a pipeline to work.
We’re pleased the government are treating this as an urgent priority
“Young people with SEND are 80 per cent more likely to be NEET and any changes to the curriculum, careers guidance or work experience availability must be inclusive and accessible for all.
“We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and Secretary of State to help ensure the pitfalls of the past can be avoided.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, cautiously welcomed the announcement.
“More than one million young people were not in education, employment, or training (NEET) as of January to March 2026 – a truly shocking state of affairs, so we’re pleased the government are treating this as an urgent priority,” he said.
“While we support many of the aims, the government must work to sensible and achievable timescales before implementing this policy.
“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.”
Building on students’ strengths
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, added: “School leaders support the principle of giving technical and vocational education the same status and recognition as more traditional academic routes.
“Young people should be able to access pathways that reflect their strengths, interests and future aspirations, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.
“However, 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.”
