Apprentices

(asked on 6th December 2016) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications of the Social Mobility Commission's evaluation of the quality of apprenticeships as set out in its report, State of the Nation 2016, published in November 2016, for the (a) quality of new and existing apprenticeship standards and (b) guidance on the design of such standards; and if she will establish a robust quality criteria for apprenticeships.


Answered by
Robert Halfon Portrait
Robert Halfon
This question was answered on 12th December 2016

We have robust criteria in place in order to ensure that all apprenticeship standards are of high quality and relate to distinct occupations. Our core quality principles also ensure that all apprenticeships are a job in a skilled occupation and that they require substantial and sustained training, lasting a minimum of 12 months and involving at least 20% off-the-job training. In turn, the knowledge, skills and behaviours contained within a standard need to be met by any apprentice undertaking it, and their competence is then tested by an independent and rigorous end-point assessment at the end of the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships offer both employment and skills for those looking to progress, are available to all those over the age of 16, and we must ensure equality of access to these great opportunities. We are considering the implications of the Social Mobility Commission’s report for our apprenticeship programme.

Reticulating Splines