Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on apprenticeships; and what guidance has been issued to those that employ apprentices where the apprentice can no longer undertake their work or studies due to that outbreak.

We continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on apprenticeships. We know that social distancing measures have created some challenges for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations.

We have introduced a number of flexibilities, which remain in place, so apprentices can continue learning and complete their apprenticeships, including promoting the remote delivery of training and assessment and allowing apprentices who have been furloughed to continue their off-the-job training.

The government has announced steps to allow workers, including apprentices, to begin returning to work where it is safe to do so, and in line with the safer working guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy. Employers, providers and apprentices should continue to mutually agree where and how training takes place.

Where it is not possible to continue training or assessment due to COVID-19, we have enabled apprentices, employers and providers to initiate a break in learning, to ensure that apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeships when it is possible to do so.

Our latest guidance on the support available for apprentices, employers and training providers is set out below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-assurance-pro

We continue to keep this guidance under review.