Andy Burnham has announced that schools across England will be required to adapt their curriculums to the needs of local businesses, in a major devolution initiative aimed at tackling the youth jobs crisis and elevating the status of technical and vocational education. The prime minister is expected to set out plans for students aged 14 and above to follow more locally responsive courses, ensuring that young people gain skills that match the demands of the jobs market in their area.
The move forms part of a broader effort to make technical and vocational qualifications as valued as academic ones, while also helping to reduce the benefits bill. Burnham has indicated that the government intends to cut welfare spending by making some benefits conditional on working, directly linking the education reforms to employment outcomes. The policy represents the biggest reform to England’s schools in 15 years, according to Downing Street.
By shifting decision-making powers from central government to local authorities and regions, the plan allows communities to shape education provision according to the specific needs of their economies. Schools will be expected to work closely with local businesses and colleges to design curricula that prepare students for careers in growing sectors such as green energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing. The aim is to create a more flexible and responsive education system that can adapt quickly to changing economic conditions.
The changes are designed to address long-standing concerns about the gap between what students learn at school and the skills employers require, a mismatch that has contributed to high levels of youth unemployment. Official figures show that the number of young people not in education, employment, or training remains stubbornly high, particularly in regions outside London and the South East. Burnham has made rebalancing the economy and spreading opportunity a central theme of his premiership, and this reform is seen as a key pillar of that agenda.
The prime minister has previously argued that the traditional prioritisation of university routes has left many young people without the practical skills needed for well-paid jobs in their local areas. By making technical education a genuine alternative, the government hopes to reduce the stigma attached to vocational courses and provide clearer pathways into employment. The reforms will also require schools to publish data on how their curriculums align with local labour market needs, increasing accountability to parents and employers.
Education unions have broadly welcomed the principle of closer ties between schools and businesses, though some have cautioned that implementation will require significant investment in teacher training and resources. The government has said it will provide additional funding to support schools in developing new partnerships and updating their course offerings. The first changes are expected to take effect from the next academic year, with full rollout across all secondary schools and further education colleges within three years.
The announcement comes ahead of a wider devolution bill that will give combined authorities and mayors more control over skills funding and adult education. Burnham has framed the reforms as part of a long-term strategy to build a high-skill, high-wage economy that reduces dependency on welfare and creates opportunities for young people across the country. Critics argue that the plans risk creating a patchwork of different standards, but the government insists that local flexibility is essential to meet the diverse needs of England’s regions.
