Experts demand major shake-up as jobs crisis deepens

Experts demand major shake-up as jobs crisis deepens More than one million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Steph Spyro , Deputy political editor and environment editor 06:00, Tue, Oct 20, 2026 There is a crisis of people not in employement, education or training (Image: Getty) The founder of Dyson has called for a new wave of technical universities to tackle a lack of youngsters not in education, employment or training. Sir James Dyson raised concerns about Britain’s lack of engineers which could impact the UK’s ability to “compete against the rest of the world”. He backed a report from the Policy Exchange think tank which called for more technical institutions to meet employers’ skills needs. Sir James said: “Britain doesn't produce enough engineers. Only about one in eleven British graduates studied engineering or related subjects. Without them, we can't make things, invent new products and technologies – or compete against the rest of the world. Britain needs many more places like these. This report shows how to build them.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Labour engulfed in fresh migrant chaos as Cabinet splits erupt sparking civil war fears Andy Burnham sent huge warning after new Brexit demand – 'delusional!' Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Policy Exchange said that one in 10 people in England live in a “university desert” – around 5.5 million people. The organisation said there are 57 English towns and cities of 60,000 people or more with no university of their own. It studied the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford, an institution built to focus on employer-focus technical and engineering skills. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The report argued that NMITE's model should be replicated in other parts of the country. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Lord Blunkett, former Secretary of State for Education and Employment, said: “Differential access to skills is one of the key drivers of regional inequality across Britain. “The post-16 journey is vital for the needs of both SMEs and the large infrastructure programmes, which will be the driving force of substantial economic growth.” More than one million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training. But employers report more than 250,000 vacancies they cannot fill because applicants lack the required skills, qualifications or experience. Policy Exchange described this as a “crisis in alignment”. Byron Evans, research fellow and co-author of the report, said: “Our higher education system is beginning to buckle – contributing to regional, social and economic ills. British history and our European neighbours show that technical educational institutions require a distinct and explicit focus to guard against academic drift. “Fundamentally, a roll-out of NMITE-type universities offers much needed diversity in degree-level provision – while supporting the crucial bedrock of technical skills required for any serious re-industrialisation of Britain.” Economy Job market Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments