Policy paper

Post-16 education and skills white paper

Post-16 education and skills reforms to develop a skilled workforce and break down barriers to opportunity.

From:
Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Published
20 October 2025
Last updated
21 November 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Post-16 education and skills white paper

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5771-6, E03371301, CP 1412

HTML

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Post-16 education and skills white paper (PDF version)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5771-6, CP 1412

PDF, 751 KB, 72 pages

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Post-16 education and skills white paper:paper print(print versionversion)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5771-6, CP 1412

PDF, 884 KB, 76 pages

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Details

This document outlines reforms to the post-16 education and skills system in England to:

  • meet the needs of the economy
  • close skills gaps
  • support growth

It is aimed at partners involved in delivering the skills system, including:

  • post-16 education and training providers
  • local and strategic authorities
  • employers
  • individual learners

It also sets out reforms to higher education teaching and research.

Updates to this page

Published 20 October 2025
Last updated 21 November 2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Added HTML version of Post-16 education and skills white paper.

  2. First published.

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