Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme on regional equality of access to apprenticeship (a) information and (b) advice.

Enabling access to apprenticeships and technical education remains a key part of this government’s education policy. The decision not to continue the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme was based on:

• Growth in awareness of apprenticeships amongst secondary pupils, which is now on a par with awareness of A Levels.
• Apprenticeships programme development since ASK was introduced, with emphasis now moving towards supporting successful participation and completion than awareness-raising.
• Tight fiscal climate requires tough decisions about activity that can be extended.

Schools and colleges seeking support to raise awareness of apprenticeships and technical education can continue to access the following support:

• The Skills for Careers Apprenticeships support page, accessible at: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/apprenticeships.
• The Careers and Enterprise Company’s (CEC) resource directory.
• Amazing Apprenticeships which offers a wide range of resources and support for schools and colleges. This is accessible at: https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/.
• CEC’s network of Careers Hubs, covering 95% of schools and colleges, works with schools and colleges to support their careers education programmes.
• CEC also supports enhanced Provider Access Legislation which specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education.
• The Apprenticeship Ambassador Network of around 2000 volunteers which visits institutions sharing compelling experiences about apprenticeships.