Apprenticeships 2021-06-21
2021-06-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the number of apprenticeships and their impact on developing skills for employers.
What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships. The MP notes that apprenticeships are a great way for employers to develop the skills they need as they recover from the pandemic.
Apprenticeships have been made more flexible, encouraging front-loaded and accelerated training. The incentive payment has increased to £3,000 for employers hiring a new apprentice. As of 4 May, 52,719 incentive payments had been claimed.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's constituents in Falmouth have reported a shortage of qualified maritime and marine engineers.
Will she work with me to see how we can best try to accelerate the hiring and training of such apprentices in this important sector so that marine industries such as the one here in Falmouth and across the UK can thrive and prosper?
There are over 480 apprenticeship standards approved that support the marine industry, including a level 2 apprenticeship in maritime, mechanical and electrical engineering. Over 7,000 apprenticeship starts have been recorded in Truro and Falmouth since May 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for collaboration was not addressed with a concrete commitment to work together on accelerating the hiring of such apprentices.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP notes that only 22.5% of people in Stoke-on-Trent have an NVQ at level 4 or above, indicating a need for increasing apprenticeship uptake.
Does she agree that increasing the uptake of apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent is key to improving skill levels and supporting local industries?
There have been nearly 30,000 apprenticeship starts in the Stoke-on-Trent area since May 2010. The incentive payment is £3,000 to support employers hiring new apprentices and there are plans for a new Home Office centre that will create more than 500 roles with an apprenticeship-first policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references statistics showing a decline in under-19 apprenticeship starts and calls for the Government to introduce Labour's apprenticeship wage subsidy proposal.
Why will the Minister not work with us and Members right across the House to introduce Labour's apprenticeship wage subsidy proposal?
Kickstart scheme subsidises wages for young people for six months. Many sectors have been in lockdown until recently but there is an acceleration in using incentive payments. The £3,000 payment can be used to subsidise wages as employers see fit.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about collaborating on Labour's apprenticeship wage subsidy proposal was not addressed with a concrete commitment.
Response accuracy