Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote participation in technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways relevant to careers in the food and farming supply chain.

Schools must provide pupils with at least six opportunities during years 8 to 13 to hear directly from providers of apprenticeships and technical education, helping them understand the full range of pathways available.

We fund the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) to work with employers and sector bodies to help young people understand and access technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways in the food and farming supply chain. CEC is partnering with the Institute of Grocery Distribution through Feeding Britain’s Future to help young people learn about careers and pathways across the food system. It also works with agricultural organisations to bring employer insight into education.

Careers hubs across England support locally led employer engagement, work experience and mentoring in agriculture and agri-tech. This helps young people understand the pathways available while supporting employers to develop future talent.