UK Government supports practical learning with changes to education system
By Jess Watts | 30 July 2026 | News & Events
UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has announced fundamental changes to the current education system, designed to bolster technical education routes alongside traditional academic subjects.
In a bid to tackle the UK’s youth unemployment crisis and expand options for young people, the Prime Minister has unveiled a number of educational adjustments. Notably, the launch of new technical education pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers’.
The Prime Minister stated: “For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected. The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.
“I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical, which gives all young people a clear path in life. From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.”
Image credit: Andy Burnham ©House of Commons
From age 14 (year 10), students will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science, with technical education linked to jobs available in their area. Additionally, they will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience to support their growth.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and businesses will work together to shape the new pathways, meaning that young people can develop technical knowledge and skills specific to employers near them.
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The changes will give schools ‘clear incentives and strong support to expand high-quality technical pathways, rather than treating technical education as an optional add-on or a less valued alternative to academic study’.
Mikhail Vtornikov, policy executive at the British Beauty Council, comments: “The beauty industry offers a unique pathway into employment for young people and is renowned for vocational training across a number of disciplines.
“Early engagement with employers envisioned by the Government could prove critical in helping young people discover the breadth of beauty careers available, and build the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce.”
Image courtesy of Linkedin.com
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, was quoted in the Government’s press release, stating: “We have found that bringing young people in at an early age and allowing them to develop the skills and creativity to be part of the business eco-system gives them confidence and motivation.
“We are looking forward to working with the PM to tackle youth unemployment.”
Meanwhile, Cathy Weston, director of quality & standards at the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), also welcomes the changes, noting the importance of the hair and beauty sector’s involvement.
“Technical skills should be valued whether they are developed in a salon or in a classroom,” she says. “We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition to give young people earlier access to practical education and real workplaces. Hair, beauty and barbering should be part of that offer from the outset. These are skilled, creative careers that provide routes into employment, management and entrepreneurship in every part of the country.”
Cathy adds that inspiring young people is ‘only the first step’. “There must be viable apprenticeships and jobs for them to progress into. That means working directly with our sector and giving small employers practical support to offer safe, high-quality experience and training,” she continues.
Find out more about the Government’s planned changes to the education system here.
