Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service: Apprenticeships

Thursday 8 December 2022 · 3 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 civil service has recruited more than 3600 new apprentices for the first half of the 2022 financial year.
  • The civil service aims to have 5 percent of its staff as apprentices by 2025.
  • The Minister offered to meet Luke Pollard to discuss supporting care leavers across government departments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Firth
Employment
Context

The question arises in the context of a new three-year civil service apprenticeship strategy launched by the government in April 2022, aiming for 5% of staff to be apprentices by 2025.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the civil service. The civil service has already recruited more than 3,600 new apprentices for the first half of this financial year.

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We launched our new three-year civil service apprenticeship strategy back in April 2022. The civil service is committed to having 5% of staff as apprentices by 2025, and we have already recruited more than 3,600 new apprentices for the first half of this financial year.

Answered
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Q2 Anna Firth
Employment
Context

South Essex College works closely with the Essex chamber of commerce to maximise apprenticeship opportunities across Southend, showcasing an excellent example of public-private partnership.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the civil service could learn from this excellent example of public-private partnership to increase apprenticeships in the new powerhouse that is the city of Southend?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

It is always a pleasure to hear the city of Southend referred to in this place; it brings back happy memories of our friend. The private sector in Southend West does a brilliant job of promoting apprenticeships, with South Essex College working with the Essex chamber of commerce. I am sure that there are things we can learn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the specific actions or commitments the civil service will take to implement this suggestion

How: I Am Sure That There Are Things We Can Learn.

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Q3 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Employment Children & Families
Context

Care leavers face significant challenges in getting on the housing ladder due to a lack of financial support, especially for rent deposits. The Cabinet Office runs a care leavers' apprenticeship scheme, but many care leavers struggle to access financial and housing support independently.

Question

Will the Minister share the experience and expertise of the Cabinet Office in supporting care leavers across Government? It is sometimes awkward for care leavers to interact with Health, Education and Work and Pensions systems, for example, and they are not able to rely on the financial support of parents, especially in renting their first property. Will the Minister agree to meet me and care leavers from Plymouth to discuss what best practice can be shared so that every care leaver can have the best possible start in adulthood?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

That is an interesting idea. I am more than happy to agree to meet the hon. Gentleman and to hear what he has to say, and we will take it from there.

Not addressed: commitments or specific actions regarding care leavers' apprenticeship scheme support

How: That Is An Interesting Idea.

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