Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve access to STEM training and resources for both (1) employed, and (2) unemployed individuals.

The noble Lord is aware that this government recognises the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and Technical Education. Our many existing reforms aimed at boosting technical education include the introduction of employer-led standards in apprenticeships; launching T levels; growing the higher-level technical qualifications market; establishing Institutes of Technology across the country; and focusing Skills Bootcamps and Free Courses for Jobs on sectors that are key to the economy such as engineering, construction and digital. We also support those who do not have the required level of maths qualifications through the requirement for 16-18 year olds to continue to study maths as part of their programmes, an entitlement for adults and embedding maths in apprenticeships and traineeships.