The Government has unveiled major education reforms for 14-16 year olds designed to place vocational and technical education on an equal footing with academic learning.

Central to the plans are new Vocational GCSEs (VGCSEs) which will sit alongside existing GCSEs. The new qualifications will:

• Be the same size as GCSEs
• Cover nationally set content
• Have assessment and grading regulated by Ofqual
• Be introduced in some subjects from September 2029 which could include Business Management and Finance, Creative Media Production, Digital Technology, Child Development, and Building and Construction
• Form part of the government's wider programme of technical education reform alongside T Levels, V Levels and Occupational and Foundation Certificates.

English, maths and science will remain a core entitlement for all learners.

School performance measures will be adapted to ensure Ofsted and the accountability system support the new Vocational GCSEs.

Alongside the qualification reforms, the Government has launched a National Mission on Work Experience calling on employers to create an additional 200,000 work experience placements for young people aged 14-16.

The Department for Education says the reforms are intended to improve the status of vocational and technical education, respond to employer skills needs, provide clearer progression routes into further study and employment, and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Consultation is expected later in 2026 setting out further information.

Cambridge OCR has carried out research into the value and purpose of vocational and technical qualifications for 14-16 year olds ahead of a final report - Untapped Potential - in the autumn.