Local leaders have say on reforms to prepare youngsters for work

The Education Secretary hosted regional mayors, business leaders, headteachers, and college principals at No10 North in Manchester to discuss reforms that prioritise local expertise in driving educational excellence. The summit focused on plans to position England as a leader in technical education while ensuring parity between technical and academic routes. Discussions centred on vocational education reforms starting at age 14, expanding work experience opportunities, and leveraging devolved funding for 16 to 19-year-olds.

The meeting marked the first in a series of regular gatherings intended to co-design education policies with local stakeholders rather than imposing decisions from central government. The government highlighted its ambition to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training, building on initiatives like V Levels and the expansion of T Levels from next September.

Minister Smith addressed the higher education sector, urging universities to align with local economic needs by collaborating with employers and colleges to shape courses and work placements. She emphasised that growth should be inclusive, benefiting all regions rather than concentrating opportunity in already prosperous areas.

Examples of existing local partnerships were cited, such as the University of Hull’s collaboration with Siemens Gamesa and Ørsted in the Humber region, and UWE Bristol’s work with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and GKN Aerospace in the West of England. These partnerships provide students with placements, apprenticeships, and graduate opportunities tailored to local industry demands.