Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen engagement between schools, colleges, universities and engineering businesses of all sizes in the West Midlands to improve awareness of technical education and apprenticeship opportunities.

The government is committed to ensuring that young people understand the full range of apprenticeship and technical education (ATE) opportunities available, working with employers to strengthen engagement and develop the skills businesses need.

The Careers & Enterprise Company’s (CEC) national network of 44 Career Hubs bring together schools, colleges and employers, using local data and insight to identify barriers to young people progressing into ATE pathways and target support locally.

In the West Midlands, through the Boosting Skills Pathways Fund, Career Hubs are working with local employers in priority sectors, including engineering and advanced manufacturing, alongside schools, colleges and training providers, to develop employer-led outreach and increase young people’s awareness and uptake of ATE opportunities, including work experience.

Through its Employer Standards, the CEC also encourages employers of all sizes to work with local schools and colleges so young people have information about careers pathways before key transition points.