Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2015 to Question 3461, what steps his Department is taking to increase uptake of adult skills training in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

The steps we are taking for skills training in the West Midlands are the same as those throughout the country.

Apprenticeships are our priority for skills and after delivering 2.3m apprenticeships last parliament, we are committed to 3m starts this parliament. Employers are designing apprenticeships that are more responsive to the needs of business. Trailblazers are leading the way in new apprenticeship standards. Led by employers both large and small and professional bodies, they are developing new apprenticeship standards and assessment approaches to equip people with the skills they need

We are also committed to delivering traineeships which are an education and training programme with work experience, focused on giving 16-24 year olds the skills and experience they need to be able to compete for apprenticeships or other sustainable employment.

We are also prioritising skills funding for all adults without a level 2 qualification in English or maths and for the unemployed to enter and progress into work.

We are also making Advanced Learning Loans available to thousands of adults wishing to advance their current skills or retrain. Learners aged 24 and above studying at Level 3 and Level 4 can access loan support to help meet up-front fees, removing one of the main barriers to learning.

We are also establishing National Colleges, such as the National College for Advanced Manufacturing with facilities in Coventry, to deliver high level skills training in sectors that are critical to economic growth, where there are recognised gaps.