Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Russell Excerpts
Thursday 21st March 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Good of the hon. Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) to drop in.

Bob Russell Portrait Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)
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T2. Thank you, Mr Speaker; I followed the instructions on the Order Paper, which said, “from 10.15”. Timing is always important. What are the coalition Government doing to promote apprenticeships in manufacturing industries? If the Minister would like good examples, I can draw his attention to Paxman in my constituency—MAN Diesel and Turbo—and Fläkt Woods, among whose apprentices is Kallum Parks, who last month was presented with the Essex apprentice of the year award for 2012.

Matt Hancock Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills (Matthew Hancock)
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I have just announced to the House that national apprenticeship week next year will from 3 to 7 March. I commend Fläkt Woods for the work it does and the apprenticeships it teaches. The number of apprenticeships in Colchester over the last couple of years has more than doubled, so clearly my hon. Friend’s efforts are making progress.