The government’s adviser on youth unemployment Alan Milburn has criticised the school system after a new survey revealed teachers believe there is too much emphasis being put on exams.
Mr Milburn is currently leading a government-commissioned review into young people and work, which aims to tackle the rising number that are not in employment, education or training (Neet).
There is a lack of emphasis on readiness for life and work in schools, and too much on academic categorisation, the former cabinet secretary under Tony Blair said, calling schools “exam-obsessed”.
He said: “Teachers are right. We have built an education system that is brilliant at sorting young people by academic ability and poor at equipping them for adult life. Time and again employers say young people are not work ready”, The Guardian reported.
His comments come in response to a YouGov survey of 1,004 teachers in the UK which found that nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) felt that there was too much emphasis on passing exams. A further 73 per cent said there was not enough focus on preparing students for employment or on ‘soft skills’.
The same proportion of respondents said the curriculum could be adapted to deliver a broader set of work-focused skills without lowering standards.
Two-thirds of teachers (66 per cent) said overall readiness for work had declined, with almost all (98 per cent) backing career advice in all schools.
Mr Milburn commented: “In a fast-changing labour market, schools need to equip young people with the attributes they need to succeed – communication and collaboration skills, agility and creativity.
“The government’s commitment to stronger work readiness in schools is welcome and the direction of travel is right, but ambition must be matched by action at scale.”
The former Labour minister’s intervention comes as he continues his review into young people and work, which was commissioned by the government in late 2025. The final report is expected to be published in July 2026.
The number of young people not in employment, education or training reached 957,000 between October and December 25, equivalent to 12.8 per cent of all people aged 16 to 24. Experts have estimated the figure will reach one million without government intervention.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “This government is committed to delivering high and rising standards for every child, and exams play a crucial role in our education system.
“Following our expert-led curriculum and assessment review, we will maintain a knowledge-rich curriculum that also reflects the skills pupils need for the future, including digital, media and financial literacy.”
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