Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Jake Berry Excerpts
Monday 14th November 2016

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait Joseph Johnson
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As I said in my earlier answer, the relationship we have with the EU will be the subject of a broad discussion, and among the important issues at stake in that will be the future of our access to funding streams that have been of value to institutions such as those the hon. Gentleman mentions.

Jake Berry Portrait Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)
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9. What steps the Government are taking in schools to promote apprenticeships.

Robert Halfon Portrait The Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills (Robert Halfon)
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May I begin by paying tribute to my predecessor, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), and wishing him a speedy recovery?

We are transforming Britain into an apprenticeship and skills nation. We have ensured that schools provide high-quality careers guidance to pupils on their different options, and there is a legal requirement for schools to inform pupils about apprenticeships and other vocational options. We have also established the Careers & Enterprise Company to transform careers provision for young people, to inspire them and prepare them for the world of work.

Jake Berry Portrait Jake Berry
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Sian Nixon, the modern languages teacher, is one of the many inspirational teachers at Haslingden High School. She has invited me and a local manufacturer to go into the school and talk about the value of modern languages before pupils make their GCSE choices. Will the Government say what can be done to encourage more businesses to enter schools, in particular to promote apprenticeships in areas of high manufacturing worth such as Rossendale and Darwen?

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon
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I know that my hon. Friend is an incredible constituency champion on skills and careers. I hope that when he goes into that school he will talk about apprenticeships as well as modern languages. We have created the Careers & Enterprise Company, with £90 million of investment. It has 1,200 enterprise advisers to help more than 900 schools interact with businesses and have work experience and other career options.[Official Report, 23 November 2016, Vol. 617, c. 1MC.]