The North East STEM Foundation has welcomed new Government investment in apprenticeships and technical education, but says lasting cultural change is needed to ensure vocational pathways are treated as high-value career routes for young people.
It follows the Prime Minister’s announcement that two-thirds of young people should either go to university or study a technical qualification or apprenticeship. The Government says the £725m programme will benefit around 50,000 young people over the next three years, with apprenticeships for under-25s at SMEs now fully funded.
The initiative will focus on high-demand skills areas including artificial intelligence, engineering, hospitality and digital skills, with short courses due to be introduced from next spring.
During a speech on Monday (8th December) Sir Keir Starmer said apprenticeships should be treated with the same respect as degrees and confirmed a national ambition for young people to progress into university, further education or a so-called “gold standard apprenticeship” by the age of 25.
NESF Chair Tania Cooper MBE said: “This investment is welcome, but money alone doesn’t change mindsets. Apprenticeships must be viewed with the same value as degrees, as prestigious, high-value and career-defining choices. Young people deserve real, respected alternatives to university, not options that are treated as an afterthought.
“We also believe this must go further in encouraging and supporting SMEs to provide more workplace apprenticeship placements. Creating funding is one thing, but helping young people secure real placements and job opportunities must be a key objective of any programme.”
The Government has also confirmed plans to double the proportion of young people taking higher technical qualifications or apprenticeships by 2040. NESF says the move reflects a welcome and overdue shift in political thinking, but argues that colleges and technical training providers – historically under-funded – will need sustained backing.
Tania Cooper MBE said: “A university degree is right for many, but not for all. For thousands of young people – particularly in engineering, manufacturing, construction and emerging technologies – an apprenticeship offers a stronger pathway, better career prospects and none of the significant debt associated with university.
“The North East needs a pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians. Our economy depends on it. A cultural shift is just as important as financial investment.”
The North East STEM Foundation provides hands-on STEM experiences for young people across the region, connecting classroom learning with real careers. Working with schools, universities, training centres, employers and industry leaders, it delivers events, workshops and demonstrations across sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering and life sciences.
