Young people in Stone could be offered more technical and vocational learning from the age of 14 under Government plans welcomed by Staffordshire County Council’s leader.
The proposals, announced on Tuesday 28 July, would allow pupils from Year 10 to combine core subjects such as English, maths and science with technical courses linked to jobs available in their area.
Schools, colleges, councils and employers would work together to shape the courses around local industries and provide pupils with more work experience and contact with businesses.
The Government has an ambition to begin introducing the new routes from September 2028, although further detail is still being developed.
For pupils in Stone, the changes could build on careers and work experience opportunities already available locally.
Alleyne’s Academy currently includes careers education within its Connect Programme for pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11. The academy also offers students a week of work experience, with placements checked for health, safety and child protection requirements.
Under the proposed reforms, technical learning could become a more substantial part of pupils’ education from Year 10, with courses shaped around the skills needed by employers across Staffordshire.
County council leader Martin Murray broadly welcomed the announcement but said councils needed more information about how the new system would operate locally.
Martin said
“Vocational learning in our high schools can help to address fundamental flaws in the current system and importantly link to our local businesses and key sectors.
“This needs to be shaped by local decision makers and we hope greater moves towards devolution will support this.”
The county council said many young people nationally were struggling to find employment after leaving education, while some businesses were finding it increasingly difficult to recruit.
Its Skills for Growth Plan includes measures intended to increase workplace experience, strengthen links between education and employers and develop career routes in sectors including digital technology, green industries, health and logistics.
The authority is also working with partners through the Get Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Working Plan, which aims to increase employment and provide more support for people facing barriers to work.
Martin said a wider approach was needed rather than a collection of individual initiatives.
He added
“We now look forward to working with the Government on greater detail on its plans and how we can make a difference to a generation that wants to succeed and has the talent to turn the country around.”
