Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to encourage a greater emphasis on developing skills for work in (a) schools and (b) colleges.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.

The Review is being undertaken in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. The Review has consulted employers and further education (FE) providers through events and meetings and has received call for evidence submissions from a variety of employers, colleges and representatives.

FE colleges already prepare people of all ages for the skills they need for work, delivering on wide range of technical education and training. This includes the following:

• T Levels which also include an industry placement to prepare young people for work.
• Apprenticeship training linked to an actual job.
• Skills Bootcamps giving learners the chance to build sector-specific skills with a job interview on completion.
• Free Courses for Jobs giving eligible learners the chance to access high value Level 3 qualifications for free, which can support them to gain higher wages or a better job.
• A wide range of FE provision and qualifications to prepare learners for their chosen career.