Theresa May to seek new ‘credible alternative’ to universities

The new technical courses look suitably redesigned and the reformed apprenticeships promisingly well funded. The massive problem will be the longstanding challenge of attracting students to them rather than A levels, and not least firms in providing the attractive well paid work placements and apprenticeships which extend over several years for technicians. Technical education provision usually responds to industrial/business demand rather than leads. The previous track record of UK owned SMEs in particular is not encouraging in this respect. Much may depend on continued foreign investment by international companies in the UK's post Brexit economy.