Degree-level Apprenticeships 2024-01-29
2024-01-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about steps being taken to encourage the uptake of degree-level apprenticeships.
What steps her Department is taking to encourage the take-up of degree-level apprenticeships?
The Government have built one of the most powerful apprenticeship systems in the world, reaching nearly 700 different occupations from level 2 through to master's degree level 7. Over 5.7 million starts since 2010. There are now over 170 employer-designed degree-level apprenticeships available including for medical doctors, space engineers, midwives, social workers and more. We are providing an additional £40 million in the next two financial years to support providers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP argues for the importance of apprenticeships, highlighting their role in the economy and social mobility.
Does the Secretary of State agree that apprenticeships have a key role to play in our economy and in social mobility, and that while Labour wants to focus on teaching divisive ideas such as white privilege in schools, the Conservatives want to support people from all backgrounds to get on in life?
I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. Bexley's apprenticeship event on 5 February will be a fantastic opportunity for local people to learn about the apprenticeships on offer in his constituency. We have transformed our apprenticeship system and are looking at ways to ensure its sustainability.
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Assessment & feedback
The Labour party's focus on teaching ideas such as white privilege.
Looking At Ways To Ensure Its Sustainability
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP requests for investment in agricultural degree apprenticeships to ensure a pipeline of new leaders.
Will they decide to invest in agricultural degree apprenticeships, working with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria's further education colleges, to make sure we have a pipeline of new leaders who can feed us and care for our environment through farming?
When I was apprenticeships and skills Minister, we worked together to ensure a sustainable college offer in the area. My right hon. Friend will be very happy to work on that. We are looking to expand degree apprenticeships. Provision is in place to work with providers to offer many opportunities including in agriculture.
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Assessment & feedback
Looking To Expand
We Are Working
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the decline of SME apprenticeships since 2016 and questions if more flexibility is needed to enable businesses to deliver training.
Next week is National Apprenticeship Week, and I look forward to celebrating apprenticeships across the country. However, the number of SME apprenticeships has plummeted by 49% since 2016, research shows that the levy is failing to reverse this decline in employer training more widely. Is not the real answer to back our businesses giving them greater flexibility to enable them to deliver the training we need?
Absolutely. Improvements were made to ensure every apprenticeship was of high quality. We have removed caps on SMEs, focusing on reducing steps to access the system. We are looking at ways to ensure that apprenticeships work well for SMEs which account for 70% of employment.
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Assessment & feedback
Looking At Ways
Response accuracy