Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Hayes and David Evennett

Thursday 31st March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to increase the status and prestige of adult vocational learning.

[The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (Mr John Hayes)]

The aesthetic of vocational learning is at the very heart of our ambitions. I want apprenticeships to become the primary work-based learning route and apprentices to be recognised for their achievements. For too long, we have allowed the myth to be perpetrated that only academic accomplishment can lead to work. That is not so, and it is certainly not so for this Government.

[Mr Evennett]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the work he has done in this area, and I thank him for that answer. However, does he agree that community and vocational courses are absolutely invaluable, not only for career advancement and upskilling but for younger people not in education, employment or training.

[Mr Hayes]

Yes, we spoke earlier about the importance of using those skills to create a bridge from disengagement to engagement. No one has been a doughtier champion of the need to stand up for those people than my hon. Friend. That requires a raising of the status of apprenticeships, but it also requires better progression, which is why I want to build an accessible, navigable and seductive vocational ladder that people can climb.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Hayes and David Evennett

Thursday 17th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hayes]

We are involved in an unprecedented campaign to promote the value of apprenticeships. Last week—apprenticeship week—450 events were held throughout the country. I met learners, employers and providers. Apprenticeships are top of the agenda for all those groups.

[Mr Evennett]

Last Friday, I visited the Just Learning day nursery in my constituency to see at first hand the benefits of apprenticeships for young people and employers. I was pleased to meet apprentice Jade Vale and manager Tracey Tomlinson, who were very positive about the apprenticeship scheme. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that people can progress to the higher level of apprenticeships to meet the needs of employers?

[Mr Hayes]

My hon. Friend is right. The previous Government’s Leitch report made it absolutely clear that we need to boost intermediate and higher level skills as our economy becomes more advanced. I am working with the sector skills councils and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to develop more high-level frameworks. The numbers doubled in the past year, but we must do more. Apprenticeships are critical to the nation’s growth and prosperity.

Academies Bill [Lords]

Debate between John Hayes and David Evennett

Thursday 22nd July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hayes]

Hon. Friend.

[Mr Evennett]

It is only a matter of time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Hayes and David Evennett

Thursday 8th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hayes]

I cannot make promises about individual colleges, but I hear what the hon. Lady says—she makes a powerful case—and I will be happy to meet her with my officials to discuss that matter further.

[Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

May I welcome the Minister’s response and his plans to give further education colleges more freedom? Will the new freedoms that he is offering extend to capital projects, to make it easier for colleges to get alternative sources of finance?