Member

This amendment seeks to ensure that every eligible young person aged 16 to 18 in England should have the opportunity to have an apprenticeship. I emphasise that, while I think that is a great aspiration, we have to remember that apprenticeships are jobs first and foremost. Therefore, it is absolutely fundamental and critical that we fully engage with employers to make sure that we gain their confidence and that they can decide when they can offer apprenticeships to meet the skills needs of their operations, and that the apprenticeships created are sustainable. Of course, it goes without saying that Ministers are always happy to engage with my noble friend on these matters as we move forward.