Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the planned closure of the national traineeship programme on access routes to apprenticeships.

The department is integrating the traineeship programme into 16-to-19 study programmes and adult education provision from 1 August 2023. This is part of the government’s commitment to provide a comprehensive and clear skills offer for employers and individuals.

All the elements of the traineeship programme - English and Maths, work experience, employability and occupational skills and qualifications - will continue to be funded for 16–to-19-year-olds as part of the national 16-to-19 study programme, and for adults through the adult education budget. This means that providers with access to funding will continue to offer traineeship type programmes for young people who need support to get into work, apprenticeships, or further learning.

The department is continuing to work with the sector and Combined Authorities to ensure that there is a smooth transition to ensure that young people can continue to gain the skills they need to support them into apprenticeships, work, or further learning.

The department will also continue to support young people to get the skills they need for apprenticeships or other employment through government-funded programmes such as T Levels and the T Level transition programme, Bootcamps, and Sector-Based Work Academies. The new ‘Career Starter Apprenticeships’ campaign is also raising awareness of apprenticeships, which offer great opportunities for those looking for their first role after leaving full-time education.