Following the publication of the government’s Industrial Strategy, the Baker Dearing Educational Trust is issuing the following response from Chief Executive Kate Ambrosi:

“It is welcome that the Industrial Strategy recognises that the UK’s skills pipeline must begin with school. Young people cannot and should not be made to wait until 16 to start learning the technical and employability skills they will need for careers in increasingly complex fields with growing international competition. To that end, the £9 million creative careers service is welcome.

“But it is imperative that the government invest in school-age technical education, rather than concentrating disproportionately on FE and HE.

“The government should introduce a high-value course premium for pre-16 technical education, as it has for post-16. Technical education for increasingly complex careers is increasingly expensive and if the skills pipeline is to start at school, this will require funding.

“We are also calling for ministers to support the new University Technical Colleges for Doncaster and Southampton that were approved under the last government. These two new schools will improve social mobility by helping more young people access high-paying local jobs. They will also support economic growth by providing talent pipelines into key employment sectors.

“We will also be discussing with ministers and officials how the UTC Sleeve initiative can help them implement the industrial strategy. UTC Sleeves would involve placing a high-quality technical pathway in mainstream schools. Again, this initiative holds enormous benefits for upward social mobility and economic growth.”

ENDS