Andy Burnham was joined by other members of his newly formed cabinet on Tuesday (28 July) to chat with dozens of young apprentices at Derby train maker Alstom as the Government launched major plans to transform the country’s “broken” education system.
The visit was Mr Burnham’s first to Derby since becoming PM last week and came as part of the major announcement that will see students receive technical education at school from the age of 14.
The change aims to help more young people aged 14 to 16 access high-quality technical education by creating clearer routes into careers, apprenticeships and further study.
Students across the country will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science – with high-quality technical education that is linked to the jobs available in their area.
The move means they will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience.
Alongside the new PM at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane factory site were Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden and Education Secretary Lucy Powell.
Mr Burnham described his visit to Derby as “incredible” and said the technical qualification announcement will boost companies like Alstom, which offer “brilliant opportunities” for young people.
He said: “I think this announcement brings hope to a lot of young people and to a lot of families in this country.
“And you can see it behind me with the amazing young people we’ve met here at Alstom in Derby, offering brilliant opportunities. That should be the norm more.
“People should be able to access work placements, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships and should be able to see those opportunities at school.
“At the moment, they can’t. We are going to change lives as a result.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Mr McFadden added that the new Burnham-led Government was backing Derby all the way.
He said: “Derby is fortunate to have some fantastic big national names – Alstom, Toyota and Rolls-Royce – fantastic employers that sustain great supply chains and create greater opportunities for young people.
“All these Derby employers are good on the apprenticeship front, and we want to do more on that. We are all about creating more work and opportunity for young people.
“But we also have an eye on the million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).”
Asked if the PM’s visit was a thumbs up for Derby, Mr McFadden added: “The Prime Minister has only been in the job a week and he’s hit the ground running. I’ve also got my colleague, the Secretary of State for Education, here, so Derby is the place to be today.
“Derby’s got a great future. I was here a few months ago. I visited a couple of local schools which are doing a great job for young people.”
By Nigel Slater, Local Democracy Reporter