Nick Gibb (Shadow Minister, Children, Schools and Families; Bognor Regis & Littlehampton, Conservative)

As I was saying before lunch, clause 46 is a classic example of the top-down prescription so loathed by those who value their professional autonomy. The clause requires local authorities to encourage the participation in work experience of those still in education between the ages of 18 and 19.

If I understand the clause correctly, it will force sixth formers studying A-levels to take time out from their studies and sporting or voluntary community activities to spend time doing work experience. I should have thought that whether that is beneficial would be a matter for the student’s teacher and for the student to assess. Although the wording is “encourage participation”, such a clause will come to be seen by schools as compulsory because they will consider what Ofsted’s response would be to compliance with the clause.

Such an experience might be valuable for many 16 to 19-year-old students. However, surely that should be left to the discretion and judgment of professionals, rather than imposed by the diktat of this small group of Ministers. It is a one-size-fits-all approach. Is this what the Government mean by personalised learning? The clause does not seem to be very personalised.

Jim Knight (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; South Dorset, Labour)

It is good to be back after a break, Mr. Chope.

The clause will give local authorities the power to secure the provision of work experience for young learners over compulsory school leaving age. The hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton should read line 15:

“A local education authority in England may secure the provision of work experience”.

It does not say “must”, there is no prescription, they are not forced to do it; they may do it. The clause goes on to say that a local authority in England must “encourage participation” and “encourage employers”. Again, there is no prescription.

There is evidence that work experience provides learners with the opportunity to develop the employability skills that employers want. It helps them to get into and  remain in employment and to progress in their working lives. Hence, we want local authorities to encourage participation. I was pleased to launch the CBI’s 2007 report “Time well spent” with Richard Lambert. More than two thirds of 14 to 16-year-old respondents agreed or strongly agreed that work experience had helped them to understand how learning at school is important in getting a job and 80 per cent. agreed that it had given them a good insight into the world of work.

Almost all young people participate in work experience in the final two years of compulsory education. The clause will help to ensure that they can continue to do so beyond that stage of their education and obtain further benefits, but it does not require them to do so.

Nick Gibb (Shadow Minister, Children, Schools and Families; Bognor Regis & Littlehampton, Conservative)

Proposed new section 560A(2) says that a local authority “must”. That is the prescription that I am talking about.

Jim Knight (Minister of State (Schools and Learners), Department for Children, Schools and Families; South Dorset, Labour)

I encourage the Committee to support the clause because it says simply that local authorities must encourage participation and encourage employers. That is an entirely progressive thing to do.