Alan Milburn Slams Exam-Obsessed Schools for Failing to Prepare Pupils for Work
Alan Milburn, a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair, has issued a stark warning that the UK's exam-obsessed school system is leaving young people unprepared for the world of work. Leading a government-commissioned review into young people and employment, Milburn argues that the education model has become overly focused on academic sorting rather than equipping students with real-world skills.
Teachers Echo Concerns Over Exam Emphasis and Soft Skills Deficit
Milburn's intervention is supported by a recent YouGov survey of 1,004 primary and secondary school teachers across the UK. The poll found that nearly three-quarters (74%) believe there is too much emphasis on passing exams, while 73% say there is insufficient focus on preparing pupils for employment or developing soft skills like communication and collaboration.
He stated, "Teachers are right. We have built an education system that is brilliant at sorting young people by academic ability and poor at equipping them for adult life. Time and again employers say young people are not work ready." Milburn added that this data should act as a gauntlet to schools and policymakers, emphasising that academic achievement and employability should not be seen as competing priorities.
Polling Highlights Need for Curriculum Adaptation and Careers Support
The survey reveals broad agreement among teachers on the need for improvement. About 73% believe the curriculum could be adapted to deliver a broader set of work-focused skills without lowering standards. Additionally, there is strong support for enhanced careers provision:
- 98% back career advice in all schools.
- 92% support more applied or vocational pathways before age 16.
- 95% favour alternative routes for pupils struggling with the current system.
Six in 10 teachers reported that young people's soft skills have worsened over the past five years, and 66% believe overall readiness for work has declined. Milburn argued that in a fast-changing labour market, schools must prioritise skills such as agility and creativity alongside formal qualifications.
Government Review and Rising Youth Inactivity Concerns
Milburn's comments come amid increasing focus on the transition from education to employment. In late 2025, the government commissioned him to lead an independent review into why rising numbers of young people are not in education, employment, or training (Neet). The final report is expected this summer and will examine drivers behind youth inactivity, including health, disability, and skills mismatches.
Official statistics show nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds fall into the Neet category, raising concerns among ministers about long-term economic and social consequences. Milburn warned that the current education model will face scrutiny if it continues to prioritise exam results over long-term outcomes.
He said, "With nearly a million 16- to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training, a system judged more on exam results than student destinations will rightly be scrutinised by my review." Milburn called for stronger links with employers and expanded work experience opportunities to improve outcomes, urging that ambition must be matched by action at scale.
