NATIONAL APPRENTICE CARD

That this House thanks the National Union of Students and businesses for agreeing to set up a national apprentice card, having worked over many months to make it happen; notes that the apprentice card will raise the prestige of vocational learning and put apprentices on a level playing-field with academic students, giving them the same financial benefits and status; further notes that support for apprenticeships is vital, as just 28 per cent. of British workers qualify to become apprentices or gain technical skills, while in France, the figure is 51 per cent. and in Germany it is 65 per cent.; thanks the hon. Members who have supported the scheme; further thanks the organisations who have so far signed up for the pilot scheme, including GTA England, PERA, Kaplan, the Association of Accounting Technicians, Harlow College, Prospects College and many others; further notes that collectively these groups represent many tens of thousands of apprentices across the UK, working for companies like Rolls Royce, Morrisons, JCB, Jaguar Land Rover, Next clothing and other top British brands; welcomes the support of Skills Minister John Hayes for the apprentice card; and further welcomes his policy of 250,000 extra apprenticeship places in this Parliament.