What Will the New Curriculum Review Mean for Future Employability?

Finito World

In an era where misinformation spreads at the speed of a swipe and mortgages remain mysterious well into adulthood, the government’s overhaul of England’s national curriculum could not be more timely. Announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the reforms are being billed as a “revitalisation” of school education, but their implications run far deeper—touching on nothing less than the employability of the next generation.

For the first time in over a decade, the curriculum is being reshaped not just to reinforce traditional academic strengths in English and maths, but to better equip students for the complexities of working life. From financial literacy to AI literacy, the proposed changes suggest a fundamental shift in how we prepare young people for adulthood—and for the workforce that awaits them.

One of the most significant developments is the introduction of personal finance education, starting from primary school. Children will be taught how mortgages work, how to budget, and how to navigate the cost of living. It may sound basic, but it’s a radical move in the context of a curriculum that has long prioritised algebra over APRs. For employers, this marks a step toward closing one of the most persistent skills gaps: financial understanding. It’s a change that could produce a generation not only better at managing their own money, but more attuned to financial decision-making in business.

But financial literacy is just one part of a broader recalibration toward real-world skills. The review places new emphasis on digital resilience—particularly the ability to spot fake news, misinformation and AI-generated content. In a job market increasingly shaped by technology, this is more than digital hygiene; it’s a survival skill. In industries as diverse as journalism, law, healthcare and advertising, the ability to critically assess sources and interpret data will be essential. The planned post-16 qualification in data science and AI speaks directly to this, positioning students not just as consumers of new technologies, but as future architects of them.

Just as importantly, the government is scrapping the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a long-standing performance measure that has shaped school timetables since 2010. Its removal could prove liberating, allowing schools to reintroduce subjects such as music, art, and drama into mainstream curricula. For all the talk of tech and finance, employers continue to stress the importance of creativity, adaptability and soft skills—areas where arts subjects are not merely enriching but foundational.

The inclusion of oracy as a core curriculum component is another notable shift. Giving speaking and listening the same status as reading and writing recognises that communication is no longer a “soft” skill but a hard-edged asset in nearly every sector. Whether pitching ideas, collaborating across teams, or dealing with customers, the ability to express oneself clearly and persuasively remains one of the strongest predictors of employability.

Head teachers have cautiously welcomed the review, calling its recommendations “sensible,” but with a crucial caveat: they will require serious investment in teacher training and school resources. It’s one thing to mandate lessons on data science or climate change; it’s another to ensure schools have the expertise to teach them meaningfully.

Critics, including former Conservative schools minister Nick Gibb, have raised concerns that scrapping the EBacc will lead to a decline in the study of foreign languages—widening the gap between state and private schools. If that happens, it risks closing off international opportunities for students already on the wrong side of the attainment divide.

Still, the overall direction of travel is clear. The government wants a curriculum that feels less like a relic of Victorian instruction and more like a launchpad for modern employment. That includes reducing GCSE exam time, encouraging broader subject choices, and embedding topics like climate change and diversity—not as political talking points, but as essential knowledge for operating in a globalised world.

From the boardroom to the shop floor, the biggest challenge facing employers is no longer just technical proficiency, but whether candidates can think, speak, adapt and lead. The curriculum reforms announced this week reflect that reality. They are not just about what students learn in school. They are about what kind of workers—and citizens—we want to shape.

In that sense, this review is not just educational housekeeping. It’s a long-overdue reimagining of what it means to be ready for the world of work.