Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment with Skills England of the potential merits of the creation of an apprenticeship standard in seamstressing and tailoring.

Skills England is focused on developing new, and reviewing existing, apprenticeships which will have the greatest impact on government priorities, including supporting young people into employment and supporting industrial strategy and other priority sectors.

Skills England has developed, approved and published three apprenticeship standards covering occupations within the tailoring and garment production sector, Level 2 Sewing Machinist, Level 3 Garment Maker, and Level 5 Bespoke Cutter and Tailor.

These three apprenticeship standards provide clear progression pathways within the fashion and textiles sector, supporting the development of skills across a range of tailoring, garment production and manufacturing occupations. They enable individuals to progress from entry-level technical roles through to highly skilled specialist tailoring careers, helping to meet the workforce needs of the industry.