New vocational GCSEs and work experience

This is a really welcome announcement from our government, led by Andy Burnham.

Young people will be able to study new Vocational GCSEs alongside traditional subjects, giving them more opportunities to develop practical, career-focused skills. The government is also launching a major expansion of work experience for 14 to 16-year-olds.

This is exactly the kind of change I want to see for our young people here in Gloucester.

A one-size-fits-all approach to education simply doesn’t work. University and academic study will be the right path for many young people, but it isn’t the only route to a successful and rewarding career. We need to give young people who want to pursue technical and vocational careers the same encouragement, opportunities and ambition.

These new qualifications are expected to begin in some subjects from as early as September 2029, with areas including building and construction, child development, digital technology, creative media production, and business management and finance being considered.

This is an important step towards an education system that recognises different talents and different ambitions, and towards creating the opportunities Gloucester’s young people deserve