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Written question asked by Philip Boswell (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 25 April 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 April 2016. It was answered by Nick Boles (Conservative) on Friday, 29 April 2016 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Apprentices: Women

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding of the Young Women's Trust on page 13 of its report, Making apprenticeships work for young women, that apprenticeships are reinforcing, rather than challenging, occupational segregation by gender.

Answer

We want to make apprenticeships accessible to the widest possible range of people, as part of meeting our commitment to reach 3 million starts in England by 2020.

Women are well-represented within English apprenticeships - 53.0% of starts in 2014/15 were made by women. This is higher than in both 2013/14 (52.9%) and 2009/10 (49.6%). We will continue to support the extension of this positive representation across all sectors.

We have made it a priority to ensure that all young people have access to quality careers advice and support to help them make the right personal choices. This includes communicating career opportunities in sectors such as science and engineering. We will launch a new communications campaign in May aimed at promoting the benefits of apprenticeships. Our promotional campaigns include role models of successful female apprentices in sectors where they are under-represented.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
35318
Session
2015-16
Subjects
Apprentices Women
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk