Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Kyrke-Smith Excerpts

Monday 27th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Laura Kyrke-Smith (Aylesbury) (Lab)]

14. What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships.

[Ian Roome (North Devon) (LD)]

20. What plans she has for the future of apprenticeships.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)]

The Government have a mission to break down barriers to opportunity, and we want to rebalance opportunities in favour of young people who have the most to gain from apprenticeships. Where starts have fallen by almost 40%, we are introducing foundation apprenticeships to give more young people a foot in the door at the start of their working life.

[Laura Kyrke-Smith]

We are fortunate to have some great apprenticeship providers in Aylesbury, such as the Buckinghamshire College Group and Buckinghamshire New University. When I joined pupils from the Grange school at their careers fair, I saw at first hand their excitement about the apprenticeship options on offer. We know that apprenticeships are a win-win for young people and for sectors facing recruitment challenges, such as health and social care and construction. What steps is the Minister taking to expand and strengthen apprenticeships, and to ensure that all young people who choose to go down that route are able to do so?

[Janet Daby]

My hon. Friend is a real champion for students at Buckinghamshire colleges, and indeed for young people across Aylesbury. I know the area she represents very well. After the Conservatives left us with a collapsing apprenticeship system and other skills shortages, Labour is listening to employers and redrawing the system through Skills England, a new growth and skills levy and new foundation apprenticeships. That is how we will unlock opportunity and drive growth.