Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2016 to Question 52226, how her Department ensures that apprenticeship standards are not being proposed for low-skilled jobs with limited carer progression.

Employers know the skills they need better than anyone else, which is why they are developing the new apprenticeship standards. These are short and concise documents describing the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice needs to be competent in a defined occupation.

Before being approved for development, employers have to demonstrate that all new proposed apprenticeships will meet a high quality bar and would enable the apprentice to undertake the role in a business of any size. Over the past year 60% of new apprenticeship proposals have been rejected as a result of them not meeting these key quality criteria, ensuring that only high quality, skilled apprenticeships are being developed.

The Institute for Apprenticeships will have a key role to play in maintaining the overall quality of the apprenticeships system. As an employer-led body, this will ensure the broad range of industry needs are represented and employers themselves continue to drive the work to define, develop and deliver what makes a quality apprenticeship.