Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to increase the number of places for agricultural apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship standards are now available across a broad range of sectors including in agriculture. A standard for both a Land based service engineer and Arborist have been approved as an apprenticeship standard. There are a number of further standards in development including crop technician, farrier, poultry technician and stockperson.

The new apprenticeship standards across all levels are being designed and driven by industry; creating higher quality training that will lead to a more productive economy and give employers, like those in the agricultural sector the skills they need to grow and succeed. The department does not limit the number of places for agricultural apprenticeships. It is for the employers to decide how many apprentices they wish to employ.