Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to encourage more women into apprenticeships.

Women are well-represented in terms of overall apprenticeship starts. In the first half of 2018/19, 47% of apprenticeship starts were by women, which is an increase from 45.8% for the equivalent period in 2017/18.

However, we also want to make sure that more women are able to access apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated fields as well as in fields that offer the highest returns. Starts by women in the construction, planning and the built environment sector increased by 36.7% in the first half of 2018/19, compared to the same period in 2017/18, from 790 starts to 1,080 starts.

Through the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN), we are championing gender representation in apprenticeships amongst employers in industries where improvement is needed. This includes making sure that more women can access science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeships and it is encouraging to see the progress that is being made. For example, ADCN member GlaxoSmithKline are well ahead of their aim to achieve 25% of women representation in their STEM apprenticeships. Women now make up 47% of their UK intake. The ADCN has recently published an update on its work which can be found at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802200/ADCN-Report-2019-LR-v2.pdf.

Furthermore, we are working to raise awareness of apprenticeships and the benefits that they bring to people of all backgrounds. Our ‘Fire It Up’ communication campaign seeks to change the way that people think about apprenticeships and to demonstrate that they are an aspirational choice for anyone. ‘Fire It Up’ advertising features apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds and showcases female apprentices in STEM occupations.