The All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships is a cross-party group of MPs and Peers which provides a forum for parliamentarians and employers to discuss how to promote the role of high quality apprenticeships.
About the Group
The Group works to ensure that apprenticeships serve as a pathway to a career and how the apprenticeship model can meet the changing skill demands from businesses. The Group has heard from all the top apprenticeship experts, including recent Ministers or Skills, top civil servants and business groups but most importantly from apprentices themselves.
Contact the Group
Connect provide the Secretariat to the Group on behalf of the Group sponsors. For information on Connect’s clients, please visit the PRCA Register.
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For further information please contact us on 0207 592 9592 or
ApprenticeshipsAPPG@connectpa.co.uk
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This is not an official website [or Feed] pf parliament. It has not been approved by either House. APPGs are informal groups of Parliamentarians with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed are those of the group.
Officers
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Co-Chair: Jonathan Gullis MP
Jonathan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke in December 2019, having previously worked as a secondary school teacher in Birmingham. Jonathan was a Head of Year and was responsible for the achievement, behaviour and safety of over 250 student. Since being elected he previously sat on the Education Select Committee and recently served as Minister for School Standards in the Department for Education. Prior to his appointment as a Minister Jonathan was a long-standing officer of the APPG on Apprenticeships.
Co-Chair: Charlotte Nichols MP
Charlotte was elected as the MP for Warrington North in December 2019, having previously worked for the GMB trade union. In Parliament, she has been a passionate advocate for apprenticeships and skills, and served as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities between November 2020 and September 2021. Prior to and since her stint on the Labour frontbench, she has served on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee.
Chair and Registered Contact: Charlotte Nichols
Co-Chair: Jonathan Gullis
Officer: Andrew Jones
Officer: Lord Aberdare
Member: Andy Carter MP
Member: Baroness Garden
Member: Duncan Baker MP
Member: Emma Hardy MP
Member: Ian Levy MP
Member; Lord Blunkett
Member: Lord Haskell
Member: Lord Lucas
Member: Lord Vaizey
Member: Steve Tuckwell MP
Member: Theresa Villiers MP
Member: Lord Young of Norwood Green
Member: Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Member: Lord Baker of Dorking
Member: Lord Watson of Invergowrie
Member: Baroness Redfern
New report published
The APPG on Apprenticeships has today, Tuesday 11 July, launched its latest annual report, forming part of the APPG’s effort to ensure better access to apprenticeships for both learners and employers. This is critical as we begin the build-up to the next general election.
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Over the last year, the APPG has explored the opportunities and challenges currently facing apprenticeships provision in England. From the drive to net zero to reforming the Levy and encouraging more SMEs to take on apprentices, our topics have been varied and our speakers diverse.
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Their insights have informed the basis of the report, which presents a series of policy recommendations to improve the delivery of apprenticeships, support SMEs to provide opportunities and ensure better access to apprenticeships for learners and employers.
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Commenting on the report launch, Charlotte Nichols MP and Jonathan Gullis MP, Co-Chairs of the APPG, said:
“It is our pleasure to present the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships’ annual report for 2022-23.
“In a year that has brought us three Prime Ministers and three Secretaries of State for Education, it has been a fascinating time for us both to hear from the huge variety of speakers who have joined our meetings.
“This report gathers evidence from our sessions, in addition to data and case studies from some of the UK’s top apprentice employers, to look to the future of apprenticeships provision. It is clear from our findings that further flexibility is needed when it comes to the Levy if we are to continue to see businesses, particularly SMEs, employ and train apprentices to meet the skills needs of the future.
“We will continue in our work to promote best practice for apprenticeships policy, bringing diverse and experienced voices to the table and building cross-party consensus on this most vital of education debates.”
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Upcoming event:
APPG Apprenticeships: Building Inclusivity into Apprenticeships
Date: Monday 11 March
Time: 15:00 – 16:00
Venue: Portcullis House & via Zoomn
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The APPG on Apprenticeships is pleased to announce our next session: Building Inclusivity into Apprenticeships.
The discussion will be chaired by Jonathan Gullis MP, and attendees will hear from a range of sector leaders & politicians, with further speakers to be confirmed closer to the time.
 
This session will discuss ways in which the apprenticeships pathway can become more inclusive. Though we are beginning to see more diversity emerging, with initiatives such as the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network playing a role, there is more work to be done. Other groups of people who would benefit from on-the-job earning and learning include those who are neurodivergent or SEND, people with criminal backgrounds, and older people who want to reskill for new careers.
The panel discussion will be an opportunity to set out how employers, educational providers and Government can increase the take up of apprenticeships amongst these underrepresented groups.
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If you have any questions, please contact ApprenticeshipsAPPG@connectpa.co.uk.
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