Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Evans and Sam Gyimah

Monday 21st July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

8. What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of work-related learning in schools.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Mr Sam Gyimah)]

Work-related learning helps young people to become better prepared for employment and develop the skills that employers say are important. The new technical awards for 14 to 16-year-olds are one example of how young people can learn the practical skills needed for the workplace. Our revised statutory guidance on careers advice, effective from September, will strengthen the requirement for schools to build links with employers to give students an insight into a broad range of careers.

[Chris Evans]

I welcome the Minister to his new post. I listened to what he just said and cannot disagree with any of it. Even the CBI says that 52% of respondents to a recent survey say that schools must teach pupils about work-based skills. Therefore, can he tell the House why the Government have seen fit to abolish year 10 work experience?