Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Fabricant Excerpts
Monday 10th September 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Anne Milton Portrait Anne Milton
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We do have ambassadors: the young apprentice ambassadors network does a fantastic job of giving talks in schools, and I urge the hon. Gentleman to have those conversations with schools. I will do all I can; I feel passionately about the fact that there needs to be more choice for young people both at 16 and at 18. As my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow) says, we need to educate the parents, and we also need to educate the schools. I point out again that schools have a legislative responsibility to make sure that technical education apprenticeship providers are allowed into schools, and you should call your local schools into account, Mr Speaker, as should all hon. Members.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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4. What progress his Department is making on the introduction of T-levels; and if he will make a statement.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)
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13. What progress his Department has made on the introduction of T-levels.

Damian Hinds Portrait The Secretary of State for Education (Damian Hinds)
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We have made excellent progress and are working closely with the selected providers who will deliver the first three T-levels from 2020 in digital, education and childcare, and construction.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant
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An Opposition Member has mentioned apprenticeships, and T-levels are very important in that area, but the business placement has to be effective, and Government research has shown that businesses say that that is important, too. So what are the Government doing to work with businesses to make sure that these placements are effective and meet the requirements of both business and education?

Damian Hinds Portrait Damian Hinds
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My hon. Friend is right: a quality industrial placement is a fundamental feature of T-levels, and piloting of these placements is already under way. Providers will be receiving nearly £60 million in 2018-19 to work with businesses to deliver those placements, which will significantly reduce the burden on businesses.