Combined authority welcomes tech education reform

The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) has welcomed government plans to give Strategic Authorities a greater role in shaping technical education from the age of 14.

It believes that the proposals could help more young people in the county access high-quality routes into skilled careers while supporting employers to tackle skills shortages.

And it adds that the foundations for this are already being laid through the Lancashire Skills Hub, which works with employers, schools, colleges and training providers to strengthen careers education and ensure young people are better prepared for the world of work.

In a statement the CCA said: “From bringing employers into classrooms and supporting meaningful workplace experiences, to gathering insight through the Future Skills Questionnaire and growing the Lancashire Skills Pledge, the Skills Hub is helping to ensure careers education reflects both the ambitions of young people and the skills employers need.

“The government’s proposals provide an opportunity to build on that work by creating clearer technical pathways from an earlier age, giving more young people the confidence to pursue apprenticeships, T Levels and other high-quality technical routes alongside traditional academic options.”

The CCA says it will continue to work with education providers, employers and partners across Lancashire to ensure the county is well placed to benefit from the reforms and that future technical pathways reflect the needs of its economy and communities.

Councillor Matthew Salter, who chairs the Lancashire Skills Advisory Board, said: “We know that there has been a lack of technical options in our education system for some time and welcome moves to provide more opportunities and ensure every young person can achieve in education and employment – I am keen to see further detail to these proposals

"Lancashire welcome any opportunity to take on an enhanced role in bringing education and employers closer together.

“We’re not starting from scratch. Through the Lancashire Skills Hub we’ve already built strong partnerships with schools, colleges and businesses to help young people explore the range of opportunities available in our county, developing the skills local employers need.

"We welcome the chance to build on this work, creating stronger pathways into skilled jobs and helping more young people into rewarding careers across Lancashire.”