Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the clean energy industry.

Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses in all sectors to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow.

To help employers offer new apprenticeships, as part of government's Plan for Jobs, they are now able to claim £2,000 for every new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, and £1,500 for new apprentices aged 25 and over. As set out by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the Spending Review, we have extended the eligibility period for these incentives until 31 March 2021, continuing our support for employers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apprenticeship standards developed by the energy industry include Community Energy Specialist, Power Engineer, Junior Energy Manager and Duel Fuel Smart Meter Installer. A full list of standards can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/. The number of starts on these standards can also be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a3c580e-cb78-4331-a055-5d147b4e1ff0.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) has convened a Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel to guide the Institute in encouraging trailblazers to align apprenticeships to net zero and wider sustainability objectives. The group comprises of employers with a strong footprint in the clean energy industry and introduces them to other crucial stakeholders to help identify which apprenticeships currently directly support the green agenda and which apprenticeships may need refocusing.

The Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched the Green Jobs Taskforce on 12 November 2020 to help the UK build back greener and deliver the skilled workforce needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Working with employers and relevant stakeholders, the taskforce will develop an action plan to support 2 million good quality, green jobs and the skills needed by 2030, and so support the UK to transition to a net zero economy and deliver a green recovery. Details of the taskforce can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-launches-taskforce-to-support-drive-for-2-million-green-jobs-by-2030.