Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to promote apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week.

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Hundreds of events took place across the country to encourage more people and employers to see the benefits that apprenticeships bring.

Employers, apprentices, support organisations, colleges, training providers and schools across the country were encouraged to support the week by hosting activities to showcase the achievements and benefits of apprenticeships and traineeships. Social media was widely used, including Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram.

I and my fellow Ministers were out throughout the week meeting apprentices and their employers.

Full information about NAW is at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-week-2016.