One in six British teenagers could soon be training as plumbers, gas fitters or mechanics, as education secretary David Blunkett predicted big growth in the numbers taking "vocational" GCSEs.

The new exams, which come into existence in 2002, will be tied to apprenticeships - to keep youngsters in school and reduce skills shortages. Blunkett said it should be possible to quadruple the numbers taking vocational courses.

More teenagers ought to be able to "mix and match" vocational and academic GCSEs, he said.