Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support skills development aligned with advanced manufacturing industries in Teesside.

The government is evolving apprenticeships into a new growth and skills offer to provide greater flexibility for employers and learners, aligned with the Industrial Strategy. In response to business needs, the offer will boost skills in the manufacturing sector through key initiatives such as:

• The engineering skills package: Over £100 million will be invested to grow skills through further and higher education, apprenticeships and the launch of technical excellence colleges focused on critical sectors such as advanced manufacturing.
• Foundation apprenticeships: Launching August 2025, employment-based programmes will help young people gain vital skills and paid experience in key sectors like engineering.
• Shorter apprenticeships: Launching August 2025, early adopters will include green energy.
• Short Courses: Starting April 2026, new digital, artificial intelligence, and engineering courses funded via the growth and skills levy will support priority sectors like advanced manufacturing.

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, published in June, is addressing skills gaps through a range of targeted programmes, such as the Upskilling and Reskilling Programme, which is being co-developed with industry to ensure training provision aligns with sector needs. The Department of Business and Trade is working closely with Skills England on the development of these programmes to ensure alignment with national skills priorities.