Commenting on the announcement of plans to launch new technical education pathways, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Andy Burnham's first announcement should have been that he will end austerity in education. These proposed changes to technical education are welcome, but they will hit the skids unless there is sufficient investment in schools.
"Support and investment for schools, colleges and young people must come first. The FE sector is severely underfunded and the government have not fully funded teacher pay for next year. Where will the teachers, lecturers and physical infrastructure to support these new routes come from without proper funding?
“Schools are being forced to find £460 million in cuts collectively this academic year. After years of underfunding, asking schools to keep doing more with less is simply not sustainable. This is the approach that cost Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson the confidence of the profession. If we are serious about raising standards and giving every child the education they deserve, funding must come first.
"Broader options and flexibility for students are in principle a positive step forward, but if the government's plans close doors for young people by narrowing their options at 14 this may place limits on their future opportunities. This will disproportionately hit the most disadvantaged. It is right to focus on improving the escalating NEET issue but education is about more than simply a pipeline to work.
"Young people with SEND are 80 per cent more likely to be NEET and any changes to the curriculum, careers guidance or work experience availability must be inclusive and accessible for all.
"We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and Secretary of State to help ensure the pitfalls of the past can be avoided."