Vocational training provision to be reviewed

The independent review will be led by Professor Alison Wolf, a lecturer of public sector management at King’s College London and a specialist adviser to the House of Commons select committee on education and skills.

Gove said the move has been taken because vocational training has not been given the same "emphasis" as academic subjects.

He said: "This has left a gap in the country’s skills base and, as a result, a shortage of appropriately trained and educated young people to fulfil the needs of our employers."

Wolf’s remit includes looking at the effectiveness of current vocational training in schools and colleges, and considering how responsive it is to changes in the labour market.

Comparisons will be made with other countries and incentives for young people to take part in vocational training will be considered. Wolf will also look at funding and the role charities and private providers can play in providing training.