Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing work-based vocational training for young people between the ages of 14 and 16.

The Department’s reforms to the National Curriculum and qualifications since 2010 have given young people the opportunity to achieve their potential and prepare for a variety of careers.

Up to age 16, pupils are educated through a broad and balanced curriculum, which also provides music, sport, citizenship and cultural opportunities. The reformed GCSEs rigorously assess the knowledge pupils have acquired, and are in line with expected standards in countries with high performing education systems.

Alongside GCSEs, schools may provide vocational qualifications such as Technical Awards. Technical Awards provide an opportunity to gain knowledge not usually acquired through GCSEs. Some Technical Awards are designed to encourage an interest in technical subjects such as engineering and technology, which are valuable as part of a general education.

With this broad and balanced education, pupils are then able to specialise at age 16, choosing from a variety of high quality academic and technical qualifications including A levels, T Levels and apprenticeships.