Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that graduates have the right skills for the jobs available.

We have introduced the National Centre for Universities and Business, which covers future skill needs, work experience and graduate recruitment. It will support and encourage employers to work directly with universities and colleges to help with course design and delivery, provide placements and offer sponsorship for students.

The Government has also introduced the Key Information Set for each UK first degree course to help students make better informed choice of courses and their future employment prospects. It includes comparable information on graduate destinations, employment rates, and salaries.

Our Graduate Talent Pool programme has played a valuable role in stimulating the graduate internship market, helping graduates to gain relevant work experience and improving their employment prospects.