Government sets out plans to introduce technical pathways from Year 10

The Government has announced plans to introduce technical education pathways from Year 10 (age 14), allowing young people to combine core academic learning with technical education, employer engagement, and workplace experiences before making their post-16 education and training choices.

The proposals are intended to place greater value on technical education while helping young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for employment in their local area. If implemented, the new pathways would be introduced from September 2028.

Alongside the new pathways, the Government has announced plans to:

• Increase collaboration between schools, colleges, employers, mayors, and local leaders to develop technical education that reflects local labour market needs.
• Place greater emphasis on technical education and preparation for employment within the school system with Ofsted inspections to consider how effectively schools prepare young people for employment.
• Strengthen links between education and employment to support economic growth and address skills shortages.

The announcement builds on the Government’s wider programme of technical education reforms and its ambition to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

PSS will continue to monitor the development of these reforms and engage with Government where appropriate to help ensure the skills needs of the UK port sector are recognised as the new technical education pathways are developed.