What apprenticeship reforms mean for our youngsters – and our town

The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham this week announced a shake-up of “fundamental changes to the education system” that he pledged would see the country “value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap.”

Under the plans, 14-year-olds are expected to get early access to technical education, skills training, work experience and connections with employers.

From Year 10, students will, under the shake-up, have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.

Meanwhile, schools, colleges, mayors, local leaders and employers will “work together to create clear routes into good, skilled jobs in their area”, with the PM's message to students: “Whether you choose construction, coding or classics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve.”

But what do those plans mean for youngsters in Rotherham – as well as its business sector?

Here in the borough, it could be said the groundwork has already been laid with the arrival last year of immersive learning destination Skills Street.

Located at Gulliver’s Valley theme park, Skills Street CIC is an education and training environment designed to “revolutionise” how young people engage with careers and skills development.

The facility – a partnership with The Work-wise Foundation and Rotherham Council – has a wide range of sector-themed zones developed in partnership with leading organisations, including energy, health and social work, construction, and advanced manufacturing.

Earlier this year Skills Street got the royal seal of approval after it was visited by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts and a board member of Skills Street, said: "We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement and the recognition that young people need earlier access to technical education, skills training and meaningful experiences with employers.

“This is exactly what we set out to achieve when we established Skills Street.

“We believe young people should have the opportunity to see, experience and understand the world of work long before they are faced with decisions about their future education and careers.

“By bringing together schools, employers, training providers and local partners, we are creating clear pathways into skilled jobs and giving young people the confidence, knowledge and aspirations they need to succeed.

“From hospitality and tourism to engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and construction, employers across South Yorkshire are facing skills challenges and looking for the workforce of the future.

“The earlier we can engage young people in workplace learning and careers education, the better equipped they will be to develop the skills, behaviours and ambitions that employers are looking for.

“At Gulliver’s Valley, we see first-hand the value of practical learning, industry engagement and real-world work experience.

“As a family business and major employer in the region, we are committed to supporting young people as they take their first steps into the workplace and we offer a range of opportunities, including work experience programmes, apprenticeships, supported internships through the DFN Project SEARCH initiative and our own Leadership Academy, all designed to help individuals develop skills, confidence and employability.

“We are also keen to work alongside Government-backed initiatives that create even more opportunities for young people to access valuable workplace experiences and on-the-job learning such as the Job Grant Scheme and Job Guarantee Scheme.

“These opportunities give young people a unique insight into the wide variety of careers available within the leisure industry, whether in hospitality, engineering, events, retail, guest services or business support functions, while helping them develop the transferable skills that will serve them throughout their careers.

“We have already seen many young people progress from work placements into seasonal and permanent roles with Gulliver’s, which is incredibly rewarding.

“As a family business, nurturing talent and helping people build successful careers is something we are passionate about.

“By strengthening the connection between education and employment, we can help businesses develop the talent they need while ensuring young people in Rotherham and across South Yorkshire can access rewarding careers on their doorstep."

Rotherham Council leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “It was great to see the Prime Minister’s announcement that 14-year-olds will gain earlier access to technical education, skills training, work experience and engagement with employers.

“Starting out in working life can be hard, and this Prime Minister knows that those young people who don’t start life with connections and advantages need a system that works for them.

“Frankly, too often leaving school and starting work can be a confusing experience, leaving young people unable to find their way easily enough.

“At the last council elections, we committed to create hundreds of local apprenticeship opportunities across the Rotherham Together Partnership, and that’s a commitment we’re keeping.

“Local apprenticeship data demonstrates a strong appetite for vocational learning, with apprenticeship starts continuing to increase year on year.

“Giving young people an earlier opportunity to understand to career pathways can help them make more informed choices about their future and create clearer routes into sectors where demand for skilled workers - and so wages - remain high.

“Nearly 2,000 apprenticeship starts were recorded during the 2024/25 academic year, while providers such as RNN Group and we’re lucky to have some of the most prestigious vocational opportunities anywhere in the country at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on our doorstep.

“Equally, businesses often tell us that young people leave school unprepared for the world of work, and without the basic practical skills they need to be a success.

“So for employers these reforms present an opportunity to engage with future talent earlier, helping to shape skills development, address workforce challenges and inspire the next generation.”

Carrie Sudbury, chief executive of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, said: “People are the lifeblood of every business.

“The government’s announcement to encourage greater links between business and education is something we have been advocating for some time.

“For businesses it provides an opportunity to highlight different career paths available to the next generation, particularly in new and growing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, defence and clean energy, as well as helping businesses in the engineering and construction sectors that are facing the challenge of aging workforces and acute skills shortages.

“Creating stronger links between schools, employers and local labour market needs will help more young people leave education with the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed in the workplace.

“However, we also encourage the government to go one step further and ensure that the skills taught in the classroom reflect those valued by employers in the workplace.

“Through our work on the Local Skills Improvement Plan, businesses have consistently highlighted the need for greater workplace readiness and there must be a greater emphasis in the classroom on developing the core skills that every employer values, including communication, problem-solving and teamwork.”

The Advertiser recently showcased the eleventh annual independent Apprentice of the Year Awards held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium and organised by Rotherham Council's RiDO team and our paper.

The awards – which highlighted “some real superstars in the making” – were sponsored by leading organisations including Mears Group, Magna, South Yorkshire Apprentice Hub, and Equans.

Kerri White, head of social value at Equans, said of the planned education reforms: “Any initiative that helps young people engage with technical education, skills development and the world of work at an earlier age has the potential to make a real difference in communities like Rotherham.

"Many young people have the talent and ambition to pursue careers in construction, but they don’t always have early exposure to the opportunities available to them.

“Creating pathways that better connect education, work experience and employers from a young age could help raise aspirations, improve career awareness and give young people greater confidence in their future choices.

"For businesses across South Yorkshire, this could also strengthen the future talent pipeline by helping employers engage with young people earlier and showcase the diverse range of careers and progression routes our industries can offer.

"As an organisation committed to creating social value in the communities where we work, we welcome measures that encourage stronger links between schools, training providers and employers.

“By working together, we can help ensure more young people in Rotherham gain the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive, while supporting local businesses to access the workforce they will need in the years ahead.”

Jo Fry, chief people officer at Mears Group, said: "Apprenticeships play a key role in developing future talent and it's encouraging to see greater focus on supporting young people throughout their apprenticeship journey.

“Through our in-house apprenticeship programme we’ve seen the positive impact that technical training and the right support can have on helping young people build rewarding careers.

“It’s so important that we continue to invest in developing local skills and creating pathways to employment.

“Giving young people the opportunity to develop, not only supports individual career goals, it also gives employers access to a local, skilled workforce that supports long term economic growth in the region.

“We look forward to seeing how these latest proposals develop.”