Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to offer training to adults without GCSEs.

The Government supports a range of training opportunities for adults who are not qualified to GCSE level.

We provide full funding for adults of any age, irrespective of employment status, to study English and Maths up to and including Level 2 qualifications and to take GCSEs in these subjects. We also fully fund adults aged 19 to 23 to study for their first full Level 2 or learning programmes pre-Level 2 to enable them to progress to Level 2 and above. These can cover a wide range of subjects, from vocational courses to GCSEs. In 2012/13 we supported 1.2m learners at level 2. For adults aged 24 who want to study subjects other than English and maths, we provide a subsidy and they make a contribution from their own resources.

The Government supports some particular programmes operating partly or exclusively for adults who have not yet achieved GCSE. Traineeships provide work preparation training, English and Maths for those who need it, and vital work experience - combining to equip people with the skills and experience they need to compete for Apprenticeships and other jobs. Apprenticeships are real jobs with training and provide an opportunity for people, including those without GCSEs, to obtain high quality training in a particular career.

Sector-based work academies combine sector-based training with a work experience placement lasting up to a maximum of 6 weeks along with a guaranteed job interview. They are designed to support benefit customers aged 18+ who are close to the labour market but have been unable to find sustained employment in a demand sector. In addition, individuals who are out of work and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), Employment Support Allowance in the Work Related Activity Group (ESA WRAG) or on Universal Credit (UC) with a skills need identified, are able to receive free training from Colleges and providers to help them get into work. Of all aims started by benefit claimants 89 per cent were at Level 2 and below.

We support Adult Community Learning with funding of £210m which is designed to engage people who are most disadvantaged and furthest from learning such as those who do not yet have the confidence to go to a formal course. It has proven to be particularly effective in motivating people without qualifications.

Some of those studying below GCSE have learning difficulties and disabilities and where it is needed, we fund the delivery of additional support for these learners so that they can participate fully in education and training. Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Justice, our prison education offer similarly provides offenders with the basic skills of maths and English, and with relevant vocational qualifications, that will allow them to secure employment on release. We know that employment reduces re-offending.