Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, and a member of the Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy has helped launch an inquiry into apprenticeships.
This inquiry is set to look at issues such as the Government’s target of three million apprentices by 2020, how the Government proposes to achieve this and how this may address the 'skills gap' in the UK. The Committee is also likely to look at the apprenticeship levy, the proposed Institute for Apprenticeships and routes to achieving higher level apprenticeship qualifications.
The committee undertaking the enquiry is a joint committee made up of the Education Select Committee and the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, of which Amanda Milling is a member.
The Cannock Chase MP is encouraging the public, businesses and organisations to take part in the inquiry so a local view is included in the committee’s findings.
Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, said: “Since being elected to Parliament I have been a strong advocate of apprenticeships as a step on the career ladder and I have been particularly pleased to see Cannock Chase recently top the tables in terms of apprenticeship starts in Staffordshire. But we can and must do more - improving uptake and quality of apprenticeships is vital and these are issues that I am continually exploring. I am really keen for local residents, businesses and education organisations to contribute to the inquiry because their feedback is hugely important. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the development of apprenticeships and I would encourage everyone to take part.”
Iain Wright MP, Chair of the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee, said: “Improving the quality of apprenticeships and driving up the numbers of young people earning technical qualifications has an important role to play in closing the skills gap and improving the nation’s productivity. The Government has an ambitious target of hitting 3 million apprenticeship starts and as a Committee we want to examine how they are going to hit that target. For example, what impact will the key policies in that area, such as the apprenticeship levy, have on increasing the numbers of people getting onto (and finishing) apprenticeship training? There’s been a lot of uncertainty about how the apprenticeship system is going to work and we will want to press the Government on how they are going to ensure businesses, colleges, and students have confidence in the system in the future.”
The deadline for written evidence is midday on Friday 18 March 2016 and anyone interested can take part by visiting - http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/education-skills-and-economy/inquiries/parliament-2015/apprenticeships-15-16/commons-written-submission-form/.