Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Post-16 Education and Training

Monday 1 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is implementing a reform programme as outlined in the "Skills for Jobs" White Paper to revolutionize technical education.
  • The reforms aim to provide people with flexible skills training to secure good jobs in their sectors.
  • There is enthusiasm in Suffolk and Norfolk for engaging with and helping to implement the Department's flagship reforms.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Education
Context

The question arises from the government's announced plans for post-16 education reforms. The MP is seeking specific steps being taken by the Department.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reform post-16 education and training?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

As set out in the “Skills for Jobs” White Paper, we are implementing an ambitious reform programme that will revolutionise technical education in this country. The White Paper is focused on giving people the skills they need in a flexible way that suits them so that they can get great jobs in sectors that the economy needs, which will also boost this country's productivity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps and timelines for implementation were not provided

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Q2 Peter Aldous Con
Education Employment Energy
Context

The MP is following up on the government's plans to reform post-16 education, specifically asking about the timetable and criteria for selecting skills for jobs trailblazers. The local colleges, chambers of commerce, and enterprise partnership are keen to implement these changes.

Question

I welcome my hon. Friend's answer. The proposals set out in the further education White Paper are extremely welcome. In Suffolk and Norfolk, the colleges, the chambers of commerce and the local enterprise partnership are keen to get on with putting these plans into practice so as to ensure both that there are exciting and well-paid jobs available locally for young people, and that our region is well placed to take advantage of the great opportunities in the energy, logistics and agritech sectors. I will be most grateful if my hon. Friend sets out the timetable and the criteria for selecting skills for jobs trailblazers, and if she can confirm that a bid from our region will be welcome.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I am delighted to hear that there is such enthusiasm in Suffolk and Norfolk for engaging with and helping to implement our flagship reforms. We will run an open process to select the trailblazing local areas in which the first local skills improvement plans will be developed. We will certainly welcome a bid from Suffolk and Norfolk, championed no doubt by my hon. Friends the Members for Waveney (Peter Aldous), and for Ipswich (Tom Hunt). Further information, including the criteria for selection, will be announced very shortly, so there is not long to wait.

Answered
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