Apprenticeships: Network Rail

Baroness Wall of New Barnet Excerpts

Thursday 3rd March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

Was it 60? Good heavens. I shall look into this when I get back. We must be missing out somewhere.

[Baroness Wall of New Barnet]

My Lords, does the noble Baroness recognise the importance of apprenticeships across big organisations, as the noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, has said—not only Network Rail—and where the Government’s funding is focused. Will she ensure that the quality of those apprenticeships is maintained and not in any way diluted to ensure that the speed of getting people through does not in any way denigrate the apprenticeship qualification?

[Baroness Wilcox]

The noble Baroness makes a good point. We are aware of it and we are monitoring it carefully.