THE MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock rose on the floor of the House of Commons to ask a question on education.
James McMurdock said:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to (a) expand and (b) promote non-academic education routes to support young people into employment?
Janet Daby, Secretary of State for Education replied:
As part of the government’s plan to ‘Get Britain Working’, we will launch a new Youth Guarantee for young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they are supported to access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work.
The department is investing in and promoting a wide range of non-academic routes to support young people into employment, including:
- T Levels, a high quality technical education option for students aged 16 to 19 which includes a valuable workplace industry placement to prepare young people for work.
- Higher Technical Qualifications, which are occupation-focused level 4-5 qualifications, approved and quality-marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers.
- Widening the apprenticeships offer into a growth and skills offer which will include new foundation apprenticeships, a work-based offer giving more young people a foot in the door at the start of their working life.
- Skills Bootcamps, giving learners the chance to build sector-specific skills, with a job interview on completion.
- Free courses for jobs, giving eligible learners the chance to access high value level 3 qualifications for free, which can support them to gain higher wages or a better job.
