Overview
- The new ambition measures higher-level learning by age 25 through university study, further education or a 'gold-standard' apprenticeship.
- Ministers set a sub-target for at least 10% of young people to pursue higher technical education or apprenticeships by 2040.
- Nearly £800 million in extra funding is allocated for 16–19 provision next year, supporting about 20,000 additional students.
- Fourteen Technical Excellence Colleges are planned in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital.
- Downing Street says schools will be tasked with ensuring every pupil has a post-16 destination, with Ofsted support and a guaranteed FE place as a safety net, while statutory duties and devolution questions await the white paper.