UK plans post-Brexit specialist math, tech schools

As part of a post-Brexit plan, the UK government is set to announce a 170-million-pound project to set up special maths and technology institutes as credible alternatives to the academic route for people who choose not to go to university.
Prime Minister Theresa May will use her first regional Cabinet meeting tomorrow to launch the "Modern Industrial Strategy" as part of the post-Brexit plan.
The Institutes of Technology will be aimed at enabling students to develop the skills they need to do the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future, Downing Street said.
"As we leave the EU it will help us grasp the bigger prize: the chance to build that stronger, fairer Britain that stands tall in the world and is set up to succeed in the long-term. And it is a vital step towards building a country where prosperity is shared and there is genuine opportunity for all," May said in a pre-announcement statement.

"Our action will help ensure young people develop the skills they need to do the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future. That means boosting technical education and ensuring we extend the same opportunity and respect we give university graduates to those people who pursue technical routes," she said.
The government wants to expand the provision of specialist maths education across the country under the proposals to be outlined in a government "green paper", with the public and institutions across the UK providing feedback before a final policy is drafted.

UK Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy secretary Greg Clark said: "We are building a modern and comprehensive Industrial Strategy for the long term, which we are doing in partnership with businesses and workers across the country. We want to build on the UK's significant strengths and excellence to shape our future economy.

"The UK has some of the best universities in the world and our schools are improving, yet for too long technical education for school leavers has been neglected - with large differences in skill levels between regions. We must improve skills and opportunities so we can close the gap between the best people, places and businesses and the rest.
"It is about making our country one of the most competitive places in the world to start and grow a business. We are inviting people throughout the UK to contribute to this work to create a high-skilled economy that works for everyone."

As part of the new system of technical education, the UK government is also exploring a new centralised "UCAS-style" way of searching and applying for courses in technical education, to give those considering the technical route clearer information and better support throughout the application process and create genuine parity of aspiration.