Sir James Dyson calls for more ‘technical universities’ to help Neets

Sir James Dyson has called for the establishment of new technical universities in the UK to improve young people's skills and reduce the number of "Neets" - individuals who are not in employment, education, or training. The entrepreneur endorses a report by Policy Exchange advocating for the creation of engineering and construction qualifications to address the issue of insufficient engineering graduates in the country, with the current proportion of graduates in related subjects standing at less than 10%.

The report suggests that towns and cities lacking their own universities could be ideal locations for these new technical institutions. NMITE, a technical university opened in 2021, is cited as a potential model for cost-effective establishment. Dyson emphasizes the importance of engineers in driving innovation and competitiveness, stating that Britain needs more institutions like NMITE.

Lord David Blunkett, a former education secretary, also supports the notion of "employer-focused" education, citing the report's argument for creating more NMITE-type institutions to benefit small businesses and large infrastructure projects over the next decade. The report highlights areas like Hartlepool, Barnsley, and Grimsby as prime candidates for new technical universities, proposing shorter and less expensive degrees that allow students to avoid debt while fostering collaboration between employers and educational institutions.