Teenagers in England will be offered new vocational GCSEs as part of government efforts to strengthen technical education and reduce youth unemployment. From September 2029, 14-year-olds will be able to study nationally recognised vocational qualifications alongside traditional subjects including English, maths and science. Potential courses include construction, business and finance, creative media production and child development. The government is also asking employers to provide an additional 200,000 work experience placements for 14- to 16-year-olds. Andy Burnham says the reforms will challenge a 'one-size-fits-all' education system and give greater status to technical and practical skills, particularly as more than one million young people are believed to be outside education, employment or training. Education secretary Lucy Powell said the qualifications should help pupils discover their talents and connect learning more closely with future careers. School leaders have welcomed the ambition but warn that additional staffing, resources and greater public understanding of vocational education will be necessary if the reforms are to succeed and provide meaningful opportunities for young people.