Written question WQ89448
- Asked by
- Luke FletcherPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Economy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
What is the Minister's assessment of the implications of the £17.5 million reduction in apprenticeship funding as part of the budget adjustment exercise announced on 17 October 2023?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Economy
In December 2022 I announced investment in apprenticeships for both 2023-24 and 2024-25. Reprioritised funding from the Economy portfolio has been found as a result of revised forecasts or from additional receipts, either through EU income or property sales. This includes £17.5m linked to demand led apprenticeship funding where available funding exceeded demand.
The 2023/24 apprenticeship contract will provide the apprenticeship network with coverage to meet employer demand and benefit the Welsh economy. Working in partnership with the apprenticeship network we will continue to promote and prioritise quality apprenticeships including those in higher level, more technical sectors - moving Wales towards apprenticeships in STEM and net-zero preparedness.