Apprenticeships People Over 16 2023-04-17
2023-04-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to encourage individuals over 16 years old to take up apprenticeships, especially in light of current efforts and challenges.
What steps her Department is taking to encourage people over the age of 16 to take up apprenticeships? My Department is promoting apprenticeships through our ASK programme and career starter apprenticeships campaign. We are working with UCAS so that people can search and apply for apprenticeships alongside degrees, creating a one-stop shop for young people.
We are promoting apprenticeships through our ASK programme and career starter apprenticeships campaign. We are working with UCAS so that people can search and apply for apprenticeships alongside degrees, creating a one-stop shop for young people.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific steps or commitments to encourage individuals over 16 years old to take up apprenticeships beyond promoting general awareness and working with UCAS.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows from an initial inquiry about promoting apprenticeships and focuses on making the apprenticeship levy more flexible and devolving skills funding to Essex.
Will she look at how to make the apprenticeship levy much more agile and flexible so that more school leavers participate in the scheme, and look at devolving more skills funding to Essex? The Minister acknowledges the need for flexibility but does not commit to specific changes or policies.
More than 99% of the apprenticeships budget was spent last year, which is a fantastic demonstration of the value that apprentices bring to businesses. We will continue to ringfence the levy to support demand. Essex Chambers of Commerce are working with employers to develop a local skills improvement plan.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges current spending and supports for apprenticeships but does not commit to making the levy more flexible or devolving funding.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from criticism of the Government's approach to apprenticeships and seeks support for Labour's policy on greater flexibility for the apprenticeship levy.
Will the Secretary of State join me, the Labour party and the right hon. Member for Witham in supporting the wide range of businesses and employers that support Labour's plans for reform of the apprenticeship levy? The Minister does not commit to joining or supporting Labour's plans but criticizes them.
We are already spending 99.6% of the levy, so Labour's policy would mean that we would have to take some apprentices away from SMEs to be able to create that levy.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer criticizes Labour's policy rather than addressing whether she will support it or not.
Criticizing The Opposition
Response accuracy