The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) has responded to proposed reforms announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham today that 14-year-olds will be able to get early access to technical education, skills training, work experience and connections with employers.

Under the plans, students would continue to study core academic subjects while also having the opportunity to pursue technical learning linked to sectors such as construction, engineering, healthcare and digital technology.

The government has said the new approach will build on successful local initiatives and help equip young people with the knowledge, skills and workplace experience needed to progress into future careers, while supporting employers' skills needs.

Commenting on the announcement, Rachel Hames, CICES education outreach manager, said:

"We welcome the government's ambition to give technical education a more prominent place within the school curriculum and create clearer pathways into skilled professions.

"The focus on sectors such as construction and engineering is really encouraging. These industries are critical to delivering the homes, infrastructure and sustainable places the country needs, yet employers continue to face significant skills shortages.

“At CICES, we support all pathways into the construction industry, whether through technical education, apprenticeships, higher education, or direct employer-led training.

“Providing greater exposure to technical learning and real-world career opportunities can play an important role in attracting the next generation of talent into civil engineering professions, while making these career pathways more accessible to young people."

  • To read more about the newly announced proposed reforms, click here.
  • Interested in working with CICES as part of our education outreach work? You can reach Rachel Hames directly at rachel.hames@cices.org