Clause 46
4:00 pm
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.