The areas that could be left behind by Burnham's education reforms

Rural and coastal areas risk being left behind by Andy Burnham’s technical education reforms to cut youth unemployment, experts have warned.

Under the plans, secondary school pupils in England will be able to study subjects like manufacturing and AI in addition to core academic learning. Courses will be linked to local industries and include placements to give children a clearer pathway into work.

The reforms are based on the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), an initiative Andy Burnham pioneered while mayor, which is a technical education alternative to the academic English Baccalaureate (EBacc).

Shorts

But the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has said pupils in areas without mayors to help resource and oversee the schemes may be less likely to benefit.