Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to promote (a) apprenticeships and (b) other training opportunities in the defence sector.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the largest single deliverer of apprenticeships in the UK, with over 22,000 personnel engaged on a nationally recognised apprenticeship programme at any one time. This is widely publicised through the UCAS and Find and Apprentice websites, Apprenticeship in Action videos, Education and Skills Funding Agency webinars, television adverts, sponsoring National Apprenticeship Awards, and social media, particularly during National Apprenticeship Week.

Over 95% of our non-commissioned military recruits are offered an apprenticeship after their trade training and 3% of our civil servants are currently enrolled onto apprenticeships. These are being added to continually with new apprenticeship offers to meet emerging skills requirements, most notably in the digital, nuclear and analytics professions. Alongside the Armed Forces apprenticeship programme, the MOD has also just been awarded Platinum membership of the 5% Club.

For both the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Service, a host of other training opportunities are also available, organised or delivered by individual business units. These vary widely depending on factors such as the skill level and existing qualifications of the post holder. All personnel are actively encouraged and supported to develop their skills and further their personal development.