Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vicky Foxcroft and Sajid Javid

Tuesday 3rd May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

10. What steps the Government are taking to increase take-up of apprenticeships among (a) people with disabilities, (b) care leavers and (c) other disadvantaged groups.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade (Sajid Javid)]

We want to ensure that apprenticeships are accessible to the widest possible range of people. We are promoting reasonable adjustments for disabled learners and fully funding apprenticeship training for young people aged 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan and for care leavers up to the age of 24.

[Vicky Foxcroft]

As the Government already have targets to increase the proportion of black and minority ethnic apprenticeships by 20%, does the Minister not agree that they should do the same for people with disabilities and for care leavers?

[Sajid Javid]

I agree that we should do all that we can, and we have made it a huge priority to help more individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities to take up apprenticeships. We have done this by providing guidance for individuals and working with employers to help them better to understand what more we can do. Our apprenticeship revolution will leave no one behind.