LAST week Andy Burnham came to Cornwall and visited Colwyn Farm.

While talking to the farmers and NFU, the conversation turned to the dearth of young people going into farming. The Prime Minister knows that changing the education system is a must to open young people’s horizons to include post-16 opportunities in industries like farming and fishing, as well as engineering, renewables, mining, construction, digital and many of our emerging sectors in Cornwall.

Alan Milburn's interim report warned that Britain is at risk of a "lost generation", with over a million 16 to 24-year-olds now not in education, employment or training. His findings painted a stark picture of a system that too often leaves young people leaving school without the skills, experience or connections they need to step into the world of work.

For too long, technical education has been sidelined and undervalued and young people are losing out. This limits opportunity, leaves many disengaged and is a major factor driving the growing NEET crisis. That’s why we have announced fundamental changes to the education system, with new high-quality technical educational routes.

Labour’s promise to young people is this - whether you choose construction, coding or classics, or maths, manufacturing or mechanics, you’ll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve.

The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with valuable early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers. From age 14 (Year 10), students will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, maths and science - with a high quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area. They will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience.

Local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together with the government to shape these new pathways. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system designed in Whitehall, areas will shape education around the industries that matter and are growing in their communities.

The government will also change the way school performance is measured. Inspectors will be asked to recognise the schools that provide high-quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence employers want.

Congratulations to all the students who received their exam results this month. They are not easy things to get; they are the endpoint of two years of hard work. Be proud of what you have achieved. Congratulations also to the parents and teachers who have supported them.

Whilst results day will have been amazing for many, some will have received the news that they need to re-sit Maths and English. I know from experience teaching resit and functional-skills Maths at Falmouth School that forcing students to retake these courses over and over is incredibly harsh and can be setting young people up for failure.

This Labour government will end the endless resits and bring in a new level-one qualification so young people get a strong foundation in English and maths that gives them a passport to go onto further study or an apprenticeship or a training place.