Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific funding initiatives are currently allocated to support traditional craftsmanship and skills preservation within Stoke-on-Trent's historic pottery industry; and whether they intend to increase investment in apprenticeship programmes focused on ceramic manufacturing skills.

The craft sector has developed the level 3 craft technician apprenticeship standard, which includes a ceramicist training option. In February 2025 the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Heritage Crafts Association held a stakeholder engagement event for heritage craft industries promoting the benefits of apprenticeships and technical education qualifications.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in pottery and ceramic manufacturing through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities available at all levels. We recognise the crucial role that colleges and providers play in delivering the skills training and innovation needed for our current and future workforce. An example of this is T Levels in Craft and Design, giving 16 to 19-year-olds the knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of occupations in this sector.

Local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) are an initiative funded by the department to support meeting local skills needs. The Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LSIP, developed by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce as the designated employer representative body, includes engineering and advanced manufacturing, including ceramics, in its key sectors and priorities.

Stoke on Trent College’s accountability statement highlights how their strategic aims and objectives align to the LSIP priorities, including ceramics. It delivers ceramics and pottery throwing skills and the adult level 2 award in ceramics together with their apprenticeship provision supports local pottery manufacturing, typically via engineering apprentices for members of their technician staff.