Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to encourage people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds to undertake apprenticeships.

We are committed to increasing the proportion of apprentices with a Black and Minority Ethnic background (BAME) by 20% by 2020, as part of the overall commitment to reach 3 million Apprenticeship starts in England.

We have taken action through our current marketing campaign, ‘Get in Go Far’ to ensure that there is clear representation from apprentices from BAME backgrounds, including showcasing BAME apprentices in high status professional roles.

On 21 February 2017 we launched the Apprenticeships Diversity Champions Network. This network, chaired by Nus Ghani MP, will be engaging and inspiring employers and communities to ensure that apprenticeships are represented by people from a diverse range of backgrounds, reflecting the widest spectrum of our society. The 23 members are committed to encouraging other employers to promote diversity in apprenticeships, and to championing apprenticeships in BAME communities.

The National Careers Service provides information about learning and work, with a helpline giving professional advice on making the right choices, before and during apprenticeships.