Apprenticeships: Critical Minerals

Noah Law, the Member of Parliament (MP) for St Austell and Newquay, asked the Government whether the Department is taking steps to create degree-level apprenticeships in critical minerals industries. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Janet Daby, stated that the Government is committed to unleashing the green skills needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower and spread sustainable economic growth across the country. She mentioned that businesses can already benefit from the level 6 mine management degree apprenticeship, and the Government is establishing Skills England, which will work with employers, local partners, unions, and other experts to ensure that the highly trained workforce England needs is available. Mr. Law followed up, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeships in the critical minerals industry in Cornwall, as they create great work for the next generation, foster innovation, and support the mission for clean energy. He asked the Secretary of State to outline the steps being taken to expand the investment in these apprenticeships and meet the growing skills demand in that industry. In response, Ms. Daby reiterated the importance of apprenticeships and skills in creating local opportunities and national prosperity. She stated that Skills England will work with employers and other partners to identify the skills needs of the next decade and ensure that the training needed for those skills, including apprenticeships, is accessible through the growth and skills levy.