Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Vocational Training

Monday 4 November 2024 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Budget allocated 300 million to support young people and improve skills development.
  • The Department launched a new phase of the "It all starts with skills" campaign in September.
  • The Minister for Skills offered to meet with the hon. Member to discuss issues related to Harrogate College.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Education Economy Climate
Context

The MP is concerned about increasing the number of students undertaking vocational training to address skills gaps and support local industries.

Question

What steps she is taking to help increase the number of students undertaking vocational training courses?

Answer from Janet Daby

Further education is vital in breaking down barriers to opportunity, driving growth and generating clean energy. The Budget allocated £300 million to support young people and improve skills development. In September, the Department launched a new phase of the “It all starts with skills” campaign to promote programmes such as apprenticeships and T-levels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The funding allocation details were mentioned but no specific steps or commitments for increasing vocational training enrolment were provided.

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Q2 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Education Employment
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of local job opportunities for young people and wants to ensure that more young people can find training opportunities within their communities.

Question

After 14 years of Tory decline, there is much to do in this country to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. A lot of people need jobs to help us achieve that. I am glad that the new Government are working to increase the number of students being trained in the industries of the future, but will the Minister tell us how she is working across Government to make sure that more young people can find those opportunities locally, rather than having to move away from their local communities?

Answer from Janet Daby

Central to our opportunity mission is that where someone is from should not determine where they end up in life. This Government are serious about supporting young people. We are working across Government to ensure that young people are supported in their communities through devolution, local growth plans, local skills improvement plans and the youth guarantee.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While principles were stated, no specific mechanisms or timelines for ensuring local opportunities were provided.

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Q3 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Education
Context

The MP is concerned about the delay in securing funding for Harrogate College's rebuild under the FE Capital Transformation Fund, which was promised over £20 million.

Question

The largest provider of vocational education and training opportunities in my constituency is Harrogate college, which was previously promised more than £20 million in a combination of loans and grants under the FE capital transformation fund. I have written repeatedly to the Government to ask if they can secure an extension to that funding period because, due to a hold-up in the planning process, it will not be able to meet the deadlines. Will the Minister commit to guaranteeing the funding for Harrogate college for that rebuild?

Answer from Janet Daby

The hon. Member outlined many failings by the previous Government. I will ask my noble Friend the Minister for Skills to meet him.

Not addressed: The specific funding extension request was not addressed, instead shifting focus to past government failures.

How: Changing Subject, Criticising Previous Government

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