Secondary school pupils in England will be able to study artificial intelligence and manufacturing from the age of 14, under reforms announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham — a response to the highest level of young people not in education, employment or training in more than 12 years.
Speaking at a train manufacturing site in Derby, Burnham said the system had been “built for too long around the university route”, sending a message to some young people that they were “second-class citizens”. The new courses, available from Year 10, will be linked to local industries and designed to give children a clearer path into work, the government said.
“Burnham announces AI and manufacturing courses for 14-year-olds as NEET numbers hit highest level in over 12 years.”
Data published this year showed more than one million young people across the UK were not in work, education or training — the highest figure since records began over a decade ago. Burnham said he was “on a mission” to reduce that number but declined to set a target date, admitting: “It’s hard to put a firm date on the moment when you can say there are fewer than now.”
Under the plans, pupils will still study core maths, English and science, but will have the option of combining those subjects with technical education, gaining work experience and building connections with local employers. The government said the policy would eventually drive down the amount spent on welfare for young people.
A new bursary of up to £4,500 will also be introduced for some families who would lose child benefit if their child started an apprenticeship, because the benefit would be worth more than the apprenticeship starter salary.
But the proposals have drawn criticism from the opposition. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately told BBC Breakfast that while there was a “broad consensus” on improving vocational education, this was “not a big bold announcement”. She blamed Labour’s policies over the last two years for what she called a “drastic shortage of jobs”, adding: “This announcement will not solve that.”
Few details have been published about how the new vocational courses would work in practice, and it is unclear how they would operate in areas with low industrial activity. The BBC understands that the government expects some pathways to be up and running by 2028.
The announcement comes as Burnham seeks to stem a rising tide of young people disengaged from education and employment — a trend he acknowledged must first be stopped before it can be reversed.