Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Nick Boles(8 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Nick Boles
I am absolutely delighted to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman three specific things. First, we are introducing an apprenticeship levy. I would have thought that he might have taken the time to welcome it, because it will require larger employers to make a substantial investment in apprenticeships. Secondly, we have reformed the Construction Leadership Council under new leadership and charged it with taking a very active role in promoting apprenticeships in the sector. Thirdly, I regularly meet the new, very focused leadership team of the Construction Industry Training Board, and I have charged it with focusing on apprenticeships as the key method of delivering high-quality training and further skills.
Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)
12. What steps he is taking to address the shortage of drivers in the road haulage industry.
The Minister for Skills (Nick Boles)
Mr Speaker, you can see why I was a little bit nervous about popping up again.
We are working closely with a group of leading sector employers to support the development of a new apprenticeship standard for heavy goods vehicle drivers. The standard will equip apprentices with the driving skills the road haulage industry needs.
Chris Heaton-Harris
Could my hon. Friend name five—no, I will not go there.
Will my hon. Friend work with employers in the road haulage industry to try to incentivise driving as a career choice for young people?
Nick Boles
Yes, I absolutely will. There is a desperate need for more skilled drivers. It is actually a great opportunity for people who are in relatively low-skilled employment. We had a very interesting discussion in the Social Justice Cabinet Committee recently about this being an opportunity, as a very good kind of first employment, for ex-offenders. A Defence Minister has mentioned that it is a great opportunity for people leaving the forces. We need to do more on all sides in the Government.