Written Statement by (The Secretary of State for
Education)
HCWS1837
Education Update
Education is key in creating a productive economy as well as
maximising the opportunities for future generations. It is vital we
are supporting the right mix of skills and delivering for all young
people so that they can reach their potential, regardless of their
background.
The Government recently announced an additional £400 million
investment in the provision for 16-19 year olds. Building on this
investment, today I have set out a series of measures to ensure
we have the opportunities and infrastructure in place to offer a
world class education to everyone – so that more young people are
supported to reach the level of qualification needed to access
skilled employment.
We are making good progress in boosting higher level technical
qualifications through our Institutes of Technology. Twelve
Institutes are already being established across the country –
backed by £170 million of government investment – to provide
employers with the skilled workforce they need to drive growth
and productivity across the country and get more people into
rewarding jobs. To build on this, the Government will make
available up to £120 million to enable every region in England to
establish a high-quality Institute of Technology. We will launch
a second competition with the aim of establishing up to 8 more
Institutes in areas of the country that do not currently have
access to one.
To continue driving up standards and support more disadvantaged
young people aged 16-19 to study maths, we will open a network of
11 Maths Free Schools across every region of the country,
including a new Maths Free School in the North East through a
partnership between Durham University and Durham Sixth Form
College. Maths Schools offer A levels in Maths, Further Maths and
Physics in partnership with top universities – helping young
people, whatever their background, to fulfil their potential by
learning from the best mathematicians.
Apprenticeships and technical education play a huge role in
driving productivity and ensuring our country has the skills it
needs. Today I have set out an ambition to boost further
education over the next decade with an aim to overtake Germany in
the opportunities we offer to those studying technical routes by
2029.
As we improve our offer of technical education, it will be
important that we remain focussed on the right skill mix for the
economy. We will establish a new Skills and Productivity Board to
provide the Secretary of State with expert advice on how to
ensure the courses and qualifications on offer to students are
high-quality and aligned to the skills that employers need for
the future.
