Every young person deserves a route to a worthwhile career, whatever their academic strengths.
By 16, schools should help pupils identify their talents and offer clear pathways into college, vocational training or apprenticeships. Practical ability deserves recognition, with proper qualifications and real prospects for progression.
Families should have the reassurance that child-related benefit payments will continue until 18 when their child enters an approved apprenticeship. Taking the first step into work should not leave a family worse off.
We should also consider removing the apprentice minimum wage requirement for under-18s to help smaller businesses offer training places, alongside financial support for apprentices and safeguards to ensure employers provide genuine training.
Construction, motor mechanics, social care and many other sectors should be part of a national drive to train our own young people. Over time, that investment could strengthen our workforce, increase tax revenues and reduce reliance on recruiting from overseas.
Let鈥檚 give every British youngster a chance to learn a skill, earn a living and build a future. Academic achievement should never be the only measure of potential.