Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Tom Pursglove

Monday 20th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Last week, I attended two excellent business breakfasts in my constituency—one organised by the Rockingham Forest hotel and the other organised by Corby Business Group. There was a lot of expertise and experience there. In what ways does the Minister think we can use that experience to support young people entering the world of work through mentoring?

[The Minister for Employment (Damian Hinds)]

Mentoring has a critical role to play, and I would encourage those employers in my hon. Friend’s constituency, if they are not already doing so, to get in touch with local schools and colleges and to seek out more opportunities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damian Hinds and Tom Pursglove

Monday 9th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

I would like to say thank you to the scores of businesses in Corby and east Northamptonshire that provide important work experience opportunities for our young people. These introductions to the world of work are crucial, so will Ministers continue to make sure they remain at the forefront of cross-departmental discussions?

[The Minister for Employment (Damian Hinds)]

We know that one of the most important things in being able to get a job is to have had a job and to have demonstrated employability skills. Specifically on the work experience placements we do through Jobcentre Plus, people spend 49 days longer on average in employment as a result of having done one, so the answer to my hon. Friend’s question is yes.