Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

I agree that the public presentation of the Government’s commitment to expand apprenticeship opportunities for young people is important. We are making an ambitious commitment and the scale of this ambition needs to be recognised. The name we attach to these clauses changes neither the nature nor the scale of our commitment. However, the one thing that the chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency is not able to guarantee is a job. He or she will encourage employers to provide employment opportunities for potential apprentices through a variety of measures. That is the challenge that we face. However, I recognise my noble friend’s concern about the use of the word "scheme" presentationally—I hope to make him an offer that he cannot refuse, if he will pardon the pun—and have committed to consider an appropriate alternative which we will bring forward on Report. I hope that, on that basis, my noble friend will withdraw Amendment 200. Amendment 203 would change Clause 90 so that a suitably qualified person "is entitled to elect for the apprenticeship scheme". This would not alter the substance of the clause. A person would still only be able to elect for the apprenticeship scheme if they satisfy the requirements set out in Clauses 90(2) and (3) and 93, and changing the wording to "entitled to elect" does not confer any additional entitlement. It is important that we are absolutely clear about this. However, with that caveat, I am willing to accept this amendment.