01.10.19
Nation’s skillset to improve thanks to £120m government funding
New measures have been announced to go hand-in-hand with ongoing efforts to improve education in the UK.
Technical education will get an additional boost after Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced yesterday (30 September) a project to ensure the building and development of a skilled workforce needed for the future.
Up to £120m will be provided to establish up to eight more Institutes of Technology in the country. The hope is to boost further education throughout the next decade, with an added aim of overtaking Germany regarding technical studying opportunities offered to young people in the UK, by 2029.
The government recently announced £400m for sixth forms and colleges for 2020-2021. This is the biggest uplift in a decade for that area. The new announcement will add to this investment and build on the ongoing transformations in technical education.
The money will go towards the creation of more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, the introduction of T level qualifications and new Institutes of Technology.
The government will fund every region in the UK to establish high-quality Institutes of Technology, in order to boost the skillset of the nation and provide more opportunities in higher-paid jobs.
The purpose of the Institutes is to provide a unique relationship between colleges, universities and employers - including Nissan and Microsoft - who will be offering technical education and training in the period between A levels and degree.
Twelve Institutes are already being developed across the country, focusing on digital, construction, advanced manufacturing and engineering. Driving growth and productivity and getting people into more rewarding jobs.
A further eight institutes will be established in regions that cannot currently access one.
A new Skills and Productivity Board will be launched to advice the government on providing the students with the highest quality qualifications and relevant skills.
Williams has also committed to opening a network of 11 specialist maths schools across all the regions.
A new Maths Free School has been confirmed to open In the North East in partnership with Durham University and Durham Sixth Form College.
They will offer A level in Maths, Further Maths and Physics to help young people, irrespective of their background to learn from the best mathematicians and unlock their potential.
Speaking at the Conservative party conference, Williams said:
“I promise to give my all to make technical and vocational education the first choice for anybody with the aptitude, desire and interest to pursue it.
Apprenticeships, technical and vocational education are just as valuable as University education and they are just as important to our economy
So, today, I am setting a new ambition to super-charge further education over the next decade with an aim to overtake Germany in the opportunities we offer to those studying technical routes by 2029.”
Pictured: Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson.
