UK government announces major reforms to further and higher education

The government has unveiled sweeping plans to reshape the future of further and higher education, with a renewed focus on technical excellence, digital innovation, and broader access for young learners.

Speaking at the recent Labour Party Conference, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the scrapping of the Blair-era target of 50% of young people attending university. In its place, Labour is setting a more inclusive and skills-focused ambition: by 2040, two-thirds of young people should either attend university, complete a “gold-standard” apprenticeship, or pursue higher-level technical education by the age of 25.

This shift marks a significant departure from traditional academic pathways and places greater emphasis on vocational routes that align with the UK’s evolving economic needs – particularly in sectors like clean energy, digital, and advanced manufacturing.

£800m boost for technical education

To support the transformation, the government will invest an additional £800 million in funding for 16 to 19-year-olds in the 2026–27 academic year. This boost will enable 20,000 more learners to access high-quality education and training, particularly in technical and vocational fields.

Further support for the FE sector comes in the form of 14 new Technical Excellence Colleges, which will focus on priority areas such as clean energy and digital. These build on the 10 colleges already announced for construction, alongside five dedicated to defence-related skills development. Together, these institutions are set to form a national network of cutting-edge training hubs, designed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce.

Digital tools key to education reform

Infrastructure alone won’t deliver the transformation Labour envisions. Digital tools will play a pivotal role in enabling this new era of education with platforms such as OneAdvanced’s ePortfolio and Learner Management System (LMS) central to how organisations manage learner engagement, track progress, and showcase achievements to employers. These technologies also provide robust, auditable evidence of learner development and curriculum delivery – critical for meeting Ofsted inspection criteria and demonstrating impact across key performance indicators.

Post-16 guarantee to support learners

Starmer also outlined plans to ensure every pupil has a “clear post-16 destination”, with pilot schemes offering guaranteed places at colleges or further education providers. This initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and ensure that no young person is left behind in the transition from school to further study or employment.

Long-term targets for apprenticeships and skills

The long-term goal is ambitious: doubling the number of young people in higher technical education or apprenticeships by 2040, from the current 5% to at least 10%. It is hoped that these reforms will create a more balanced and responsive education system – one that better reflects the diverse pathways available to young people and the skills needed in today’s economy.

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