Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Apprenticeships: Transport Sector

Thursday 20 April 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for Education published fresh guidance last year on how apprenticeship training can be delivered flexibly to fit business needs.
  • The Government have published a zero-emission vehicle mandate and are investing in the local electric vehicle infrastructure scheme.
  • The Minister met with representatives of bus companies to discuss apprenticeship schemes and the challenges faced by smaller companies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Education Employment
Context

There are concerns about the availability and quality of apprenticeships within the transport industry, impacting skill development and workforce needs.

Question

What assessment has been made of the availability of apprenticeships in the transport sector? I have been meeting representatives of bus companies that run apprenticeship schemes. They tell me that the rules governing the number of hours per month in the classroom can be problematic for smaller companies when it comes to rostering, and if there was some flexibility—a change not in the total number of hours, but in the delivery pattern—they would be able to take on more apprenticeships, which they want to do.

Answer from Jesse Norman (Minister)

The Department is committed to working with the transport industry to create high-quality apprenticeships. The Department for Education published fresh guidance last year on how apprenticeship training can be delivered flexibly to fit business needs. My hon Friend, the Roads Minister, has been talking to him and visiting the classroom in Harrogate, so we are very much seized of the issue of flexibility.

Partly answered

How: Working With Industry

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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Education Employment
Context

Representatives of bus companies running apprenticeship schemes have raised concerns about the current rules governing classroom hours, which are problematic for smaller companies.

Question

I thank my right hon Friend for that answer. I have been meeting representatives of bus companies that run apprenticeship schemes. They tell me that the rules governing the number of hours per month in the classroom can be problematic for smaller companies when it comes to rostering, and if there was some flexibility—a change not in the total number of hours, but in the delivery pattern—they would be able to take on more apprenticeships, which they want to do. Will he consider that idea?

Answer from Jesse Norman (Minister)

The Department for Education published fresh guidance last year on how apprenticeship training can be delivered flexibly to fit business needs. My hon Friend, the Roads Minister, has been talking to him and visiting the classroom in Harrogate, so we are very much seized of the issue of flexibility.

Partly answered

How: Flexibility, Visiting

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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Transport Energy
Context

There is a concern that the UK is lagging behind France and Germany in terms of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, potentially affecting workforce development.

Question

The Minister will know that when it comes to the delivery of charging infrastructure, we are way behind the curve in comparison with our peers in France and Germany. We need more skilled individuals to deliver that infrastructure. Many young people in my constituency benefit from the courses run by Warwickshire College Group, although I am not sure how good the courses are in the rest of the country. What are the Government doing to ensure that the next generation are really electrified about the opportunity this presents?

Answer from Jesse Norman (Minister)

The Government have published a zero-emission vehicle mandate and are investing in the local electric vehicle infrastructure scheme. These efforts aim to drive private sector demand for apprenticeships, addressing workforce needs.

Partly answered

How: Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate, Investment

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