I agree. However, I don't think the University system is where that needs to happen. I think companies can and should be training people to the standard required for that specialism. How many people actually use what they learn in their degree to any meaningful level? You should be getting a specialist education funded out of the capital of a company as future proofing. So we're moving the burden of work-based education into the private sector and greatly reducing the amount of 'general education' for the academically gifted. That's why it's free, that's why it's taxpayer funded.

Mechanical engineering? Go to BAE systems. Architecture? Go to Gensler. Want to be a GP, train with AXA. Private firms will absolutely boot the slackers out because they won't waste money. It's not about divesting education, it's redistributing the burden of education into places where it'll be more efficient. I didn't really have the space to touch on that too much in this article without it being 25 minutes long.

And yes, I agree the Primary and Secondary education systems need to be overhauled, they aren't fit for purpose in most places and are still running a Victorian/Edwardian approach - there needs to be a full-scale paradigm shift in what we think education is for and how we go about giving it to our children. Always good to see you pop up. I know I'm in trouble.... luckily I'm too old to send to Miss Trunchbull. :o)