Apprenticeships

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Thursday 14th March 2013

(11 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. May I explain to the House that a very large number of right hon. and hon. Members will be seeking to catch my eye in the debate on NHS accountability, and I am keen to accommodate that Back Bench-inspired debate? We have business questions before that so I am not inclined to run this statement at length.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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Flexibility is key for any work-related apprenticeship policy. Does the Minister agree that apprenticeships should not just be for school leavers? They need to be for the mum going back to work after having looked after her children, and for the man in middle age seeking a new career. Will the Government address this issue?

Matt Hancock Portrait Matthew Hancock
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Yes, I agree strongly. For instance, soldiers leaving the armed forces often go through apprenticeships to retrain for civvy street. That is another important element.