Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department has made available to employers to ensure that young people who complete a Level 2 NVQ are able to progress to a higher level qualification; and if he will make a statement.

Support and funding for young people to complete higher level qualifications after acquiring level 2 qualifications is aimed at the individual not the employer. Although under the Apprenticeships Grant for Employers, eligible employers can receive an incentive of £1500 for each new apprentice they take on and train.

Apprenticeships are our top priority for skills and we are committed to 3m starts over the next 5 years. Apprenticeships are jobs with training from level 2 to level 7 and we are aiming to achieve more higher and degree level apprenticeships, having made additional funding available to support that.

We are also establishing National Colleges to deliver high level skills training, predominantly at levels 4 and 5, in sectors that are critical to economic growth where there are recognised skills gaps.

We are supporting adult learners aged 19-23 (inclusive) by fully funding all first qualifications up to a full level 3.

Learners aged 24 and above studying at Level 3 and 4 can access loan support to help meet up-front fees, removing one of the main barriers to learning.