UK Government Announces £287m Boost for Technical Education in Cornwall

The UK government unveiled a package aimed at expanding technical education and apprenticeships, targeting shortages of skilled trades in Cornwall. A new bursary of up to £4,500 per year per household will help remove financial barriers for apprentices, while an investment of £287 million will create more than 22,000 additional places in further‑education colleges and post‑16 providers.

The measures also include free apprenticeship training for all eligible under‑25s from August, up to £8,000 support for small‑and‑medium enterprises hiring young apprentices, and National Insurance relief for apprentices under 25. The package is intended to deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships and build on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s reforms to give 14‑year‑olds greater access to technical learning. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said every young person deserves the chance to build a future they can be proud of.