Page:Hansard (UK) - Vol 566 No. 40 August 29th 2013.pdf/94

1011W Our payments by results scheme includes specific measures for the children and young people in these families, stating that a council may claim a result when:

Or

See the Financial Framework for details of payments attributable to each result:

https://www.gov.ukgovernment/publications/the-troubIedfamilies-programme-financial-framework

Mr Francois: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is pleased to be recognised as the single largest deliverer of apprenticeships in the UK. Apprenticeships are firmly embedded across armed forces initial training. 95% of Army recruits enrol in an apprenticeship each year, most of whom complete it within two years. Apprenticeships are now the means by which the majority of service personnel develop the skills that they need to succeed on operations.

Defence training for armed forces personnel is governed by a systematic approach that ensures all training is regularly re-assessed to ensure it delivers what we need. This process provides the mechanism by which we can examine options for further development, including apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships where appropriate.

The MOD has also been heavily involved in civilian apprenticeship delivery for many years and is the largest deliverer of such apprenticeships across Government Departments. The MOD works closely with other Government Departments regarding civilian apprenticeship delivery generally.

Figures for the three services and also for civilian apprenticeships are presented in the following tables.

Royal Navy The Royal Navy organise their management information on the basis of apprenticeships which are started in a calendar year.

Army

The Army hold management information based on the numbers of soldiers who achieved an apprenticeship in an academic year (1 August to 31 July) rather than the date started.

Royal Air Force

Information held by the RAF is based on the number of new apprenticeship registrations in each academic year.

Civilian

The MOD runs two engineering apprentice recruitment schemes for civilians, known as Craft and Technician. In addition, the MOD offers apprenticeships to its existing civilian staff through an arrangement delivered by Learn Direct. Localised apprenticeships are in use across defence, although information about these is not held centrally. The information presented here does not include MOD trading funds or agencies.

In September 2013 we expect to recruit a total of 63 Engineering Technician apprentices; their age profile cannot yet be determined. The age breakdown presented for Engineering Technician apprentices is based on available internal management statistics. A restructured age breakdown along the lines requested has not been possible in the available time.

The Craft and Technician schemes invite applications annually from schools, colleges and through the media.

A service level agreement between the MOD and Learn Direct offers existing staff a route to a workplace apprenticeship on a voluntary basis. Since its introduction in 2009 over 3,000 MOD staff across all age groups have undertaken one of the apprenticeships on offer.