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Skills for Growth

I thank the Secretary of State for today’s Statement about skills. It is important to emphasise this field and I very much agree with what has been put forward. Will he consider one area which is of concern—that is, careers advice? It should be ensured that careers advice is top-rate in both schools and jobcentres. Perhaps the Minister will look into this. I give just one instance. Last week community groups came to the Palace of Westminster to talk about their experiences. I know that it is unfair to pick one quote, but it was representative of what a number of people said. A male jobseeker who is on jobseeker’s allowance said: "““I don’t see the use of Job Centre Plus. They just look at jobs you’ve been applying for and that’s it, you’re done in 5 minutes. They’ve never given me advice about apprenticeships or stuff like that. I want to do something with my life””." I know that attempts have been made to improve careers advice, but could the Secretary of State look again at this very important area, particularly in schools but also in jobcentres? If people have a bad experience there, they get discouraged and do not feel that they can advance, either through skills or jobs.