Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to review whether apprenticeship standards are fit for purpose to contribute to the net zero economy.

The Green Apprenticeship Advisory Panel (GAAP) was convened by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) in January 2021 to ensure the right skills are in place for the future workforce to deliver the green technology shift the UK needs. It works closely with the Green Jobs Taskforce set up by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the department to ensure that all actions are aligned. The GAAP is supported by the green apprenticeship advisory community by providing sector-specific expertise when required.

We have already identified 15 occupations directly aligned to the green economy, including Ecologist, Arborist and Environmental Practitioner, as well as a further 29 that are supportive of the green economy, including some in the digital, Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and project management spheres.

The Institute is prioritising the development of green apprenticeship standards, mapping green jobs to current standards and working with employers where an occupational gap is identified to ensure standards are available and are responsive to employer need. We will continue to ensure apprenticeships support new and emerging occupations and that employers in the green economy can benefit from apprenticeships.