Responding to today’s announcement of new technical education routes for 14-year-olds, Myles McGinley, Managing Director of Cambridge OCR, said: "This is an important step forward. The untapped potential of technical pathways deserves serious attention, and it seems to be getting it from the Prime Minister. 

"Technical awards, such as Cambridge Nationals, create an explicit link between school and work for hundreds of thousands of young people. Scaling that up will open new opportunities for a whole generation. 

"If we get this right, technical education can offer practical insights and connections with industries like engineering, tech, health and social care, construction, business, media, sport and the creative sectors. That will not only help tackle youth unemployment, but inspire and motivate teenagers at a pivotal moment in their lives."

Cambridge OCR is the leading provider of vocational and technical education for 14 to 16-year-olds. The awarding organisation is conducting a review into the 'untapped potential' of such qualifications, chaired by former Education Secretary Charles Clarke, which is set to be published in the autumn.