Sarah Gibson

Sarah Gibson

Liberal Democrat — Chippenham

Speaking in the House of Commons on 25 November 2025

Debate

Level 7 Apprenticeships

Contribution

I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s congratulations to Yeovil college. The option to study while earning is crucial to reduce barriers, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. That is distinctly the case for architecture—an industry that historically has been run by a narrow, predominantly male, section of the middle class, and where the apprenticeship route has begun to make a real difference. Benchmarking by the Royal Institute of British Architects shows that apprenticeships have achieved a far better gender balance than the wider profession has ever seen, with level 7 entrants last year almost at parity.

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