Vocational education is coming back into the classroom. The government has announced a new generation of vocational GCSEs, allowing teenagers in England to study subjects such as building and construction, digital technology, creative media production, child development and business and finance alongside the traditional academic curriculum.

The qualifications, which could be available in some subjects from September 2029, will eventually replace existing technical awards. English, maths and science will remain part of the common academic core. The government also wants businesses to provide another 200,000 work experience placements for 14- to 16-year-olds.

There are good educational arguments for giving young people greater choice between different forms of learning. But there is an equally important economic argument. Three fundamental changes are transforming the British labour market: demographics, the green economy and AI. All three make vocational expertise increasingly valuable.

As I argue in my forthcoming book, Skilled: How to Master the Changing World of Work, preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.

An ageing workforce, the green transition and AI are very different forces. Yet all three point towards the importance of deep,........

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