Danielle Broadbent from Bradford, West Yorkshire, described Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement as "a hugely positive step in the right direction" after long calling for a more inclusive approach to education that recognises individual strengths. The new reforms will allow 14-year-olds to begin exploring technical education, work experience, and employer connections earlier, while placing technical routes on par with academic options. "Discovering Functional Skills changed our family’s journey — it gave my son hope again and opened my eyes to opportunities we didn’t know existed." "Every young person deserves an education system that recognises their individual strengths and values every pathway equally — academic, vocational, technical, creative or sporting. She wants to see academic, technical, vocational, creative and sporting routes given equal recognition and status, and is urging continued investment in Functional Skills as a respected qualification.