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techUK president appointed to expert panel by Prime Minister investigating choices between technical, vocational and academic routes for students in post-18 education.

Theresa May has launched a major new review into post-18 education which will investigate choices between technical, vocational and academic routes for students. The wide-ranging review will be informed by independent advice from an expert panel from across post-18 education, business and academia including techUK’s president, Jacqueline de Rojas. Chaired by Philip Augar, author and former non-executive director of the Department for Education, the panel will focus on choice, value for money, access and skills provision.

On her appointment to the panel, Jacqueline de Rojas, techUK president said:

“Education is key to ensuring all people are able to thrive in the modern economy and I’m delighted to be part of this important review. It is too early to make any comments on the findings but I look forward to working with the panel on this evidence-based review.”

In the Government’s announcement, Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:

“Our post-18 education system has many strengths. It has a fantastic global reputation, we have record rates of disadvantaged students going to university and we are transforming technical education so employers have access to the skills they need.

“However, with a system where almost all institutions are charging the same price for courses – when some clearly cost more than others and some have higher returns to the student than others – it is right that we ask questions about choice and value for money. We also need to look at the balance between academic study and technical education to ensure there is genuine choice for young people and that we are giving employers access to a highly skilled workforce.”