Sainsbury review recommends simplifying technical education

A report into technical education by an independent panel, chaired by Lord Sainsbury, recommends simplifying the current system so technical education is provided through 15 high-quality routes.

Our president, Professor Sir John Holman, said: "I welcome this report, which will bring a clear and systematic approach to the complex field of technical education.

"It will make the available routes much easier for both students and employers to understand, and will make technical education more responsive to the skills need of employers.

"I look forward to discussing how professional bodies like the Royal Society of Chemistry can support well-defined routes to skilled scientific occupations."

Skills Minister Nick Boles published a Post-16 skills plan in response to the review, accepting Lord Sainsbury’s recommendations and setting out the government’s vision for the future of technical education.

He said: "Britain has all the ingredients needed to compete with other skilled nations, but we must create a technical education system that can harness that talent. This cannot be the government’s job alone; we must work with employers and post-16 providers to unlock the potential in this country."