Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Young People: High-skilled Jobs

Tuesday 2 November 2021 · 5 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Through the plan for jobs, nearly 95,000 young people have started a kickstart job, with the scheme extended to March 2022.
  • Funding for apprenticeships will increase to 2.7 billion by 2024-25, with 145 employer-designed apprenticeship standards relating to engineering and manufacturing.
  • The extension of the kickstart scheme provides valuable jobs and work experience for young people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Evennett Con
Employment
Context

The MP asked about the progress made by the Department in helping young individuals find high-skilled employment.

Question

What progress has been made on supporting young people into high-skilled jobs?

Answer from Simon Clarke

Through the plan for jobs, nearly 95,000 young people have started a kickstart job; we have extended that scheme to March 2022. More than 100,000 apprenticeships were hired under new incentive payments, of whom 75% were under 25 years old. Funding for traineeships has been provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or commitment beyond scheme extension and funding figures.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Education Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP enquired about the Government's efforts to encourage more young individuals into engineering apprenticeships.

Question

Will the government update on its work to encourage more young people into engineering roles and attract more apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent?

Answer from Simon Clarke

There are 145 employer-designed apprenticeship standards relating to engineering and manufacturing. Funding for apprenticeships will increase to £2.7 billion by 2024-25. Enhanced recruitment services for SMEs, flexible training models, and a return-on-investment tool have been introduced.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific local initiatives or direct commitments for Stoke-on-Trent.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 David Evennett Con
Employment
Context

The MP asked about the extension of the kickstart scheme until March next year and its impact on young people.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that extending the kickstart scheme provides more young people with opportunities to develop skills, confidence, and experience?

Answer from Simon Clarke

The extension is providing valuable jobs and work experience. Nearly 95,000 young people have started a kickstart job, compared to 56,000 under the Labour Government's future jobs fund.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Education
Context

The MP questioned about the importance of universities and highlighted a report showing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds value higher education.

Question

Will the Chief Secretary celebrate the work of universities across the country and suggest to colleagues that they stop devaluing courses?

Answer from Simon Clarke

The university sector is important, offering opportunities for young people. However, a balance with vocational training through T-levels and skills investment is crucial.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the celebration request or discourage course devaluation directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Alan Brown SNP
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about the expansion of wave and tidal energy sectors and its potential to create high-skilled jobs, questioning if Treasury blocked ring-fenced funding.

Question

Will the Chief Secretary meet me to discuss changes allowing the sector to bid for contracts for difference auction and scale up?

Answer from Simon Clarke

The contracts for difference mechanism has been successful. The hon. Gentleman should engage with BEIS on this matter, while I am happy to have conversations that would be useful.

Not addressed: Redirected the questioner to another department (BEIS) instead of addressing specific funding issues directly.

How: Redirect

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)