Former cabinet minister Alan Milburn has said that an 'exam-obsessed' school system is leaving young people unprepared for employment, as new polling reveals widespread teacher dissatisfaction. Milburn, who is leading a government-commissioned review into youth employment, argued that schools prioritise academic sorting over real-world readiness.
A YouGov survey of 1,004 primary and secondary teachers found that 74% believe there is too much emphasis on exams, while 73% say schools neglect 'soft skills' and employability. Milburn described the findings as a 'gauntlet' to policymakers, insisting that high academic standards and work-focused skills are not mutually exclusive.
The survey also showed strong support for reform: 98% backed career advice in all schools, 92% wanted more vocational pathways before age 16, and 95% supported alternative routes for struggling pupils. Meanwhile, 60% of teachers said young people's soft skills have worsened over the past five years, and 66% felt overall work readiness had declined.
Milburn's review, due this summer, is examining why nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (Neet). He warned that a system judged more on exam results than student destinations would face increasing scrutiny, and called for stronger links between schools and employers to improve outcomes.
