Amendments made: 27, page 53, line 9, leave out ‘prepare and’.

This amendment removes the requirement that the Secretary of State must prepare apprenticeship standards. It is related to amendment 28.

Amendment 28, page 53, line 11, at end insert—

‘( ) Each standard must be—

(a) prepared by the Secretary of State, or

(b) prepared by another person and approved by the Secretary of State.’.

This amendment allows for any person, including employers, to prepare apprenticeship standards (as well as the Secretary of State). A standard must be approved by the Secretary of State if it is prepared by another person.

Amendment 29, page 53, line 19, leave out from ‘State’ to end of line 24 and insert

‘may—

(a) publish a revised version of a standard, or

(b) withdraw a standard (with or without publishing another in its place).’.

This amendment, which is related to amendment 30, allows for the Secretary of State to publish an amended version of a standard or to withdraw a standard (with or without publishing another one).

Amendment 30, page 53, line 24, at end insert—

‘( ) Revisions of a standard may be—

(a) prepared by the Secretary of State, or

(b) prepared by another person and approved by the Secretary of State.’.

This amendment allows for any person, including employers, to prepare revisions of apprenticeship standards (as well as the Secretary of State). A standard must be approved by the Secretary of State if it is prepared by another person.

Amendment 31, page 53, leave out lines 25 to 27.

This amendment removes the express provision for employers or their representatives to make proposals to the Secretary of State about standards. This is considered unnecessary in the light of amendments 28 and 30 which allow for an enhanced role for employers and other persons.

Amendment 32, page 55, line 25, at end insert—

‘1A (1) Section 100 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (provision of financial resources) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), after “financial resources” insert “under this subsection”.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The Secretary of State may secure the provision of financial resources to any person under this subsection (whether or not the resources could be secured under subsection (1))—

(a) for the purpose of encouraging the provision of opportunities for individuals to complete approved English apprenticeships or to undertake work following the completion of such apprenticeships, or

(b) otherwise in connection with approved English apprenticeships.”

(4) In subsection (3), after “subsection (1)” insert “or (1A)”.

(5) In subsection (4), after “subsection (1)(c)” insert “or (1A)”.

1B (1) Section 101of that Act (financial resources: conditions) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2)—

(a) after “may” insert “(among other things)”;

(b) omit paragraph (b).

(3) Omit subsections (4) and (5).

1C In section 103 of that Act (means tests), in subsection (1) (as amended by paragraph 13C of Schedule 13) after “section 100(1)(c), (d) or (e)” insert “or (1A)”.’.

This amendment is to ensure that the Secretary of State may make payments relating to approved English apprenticeships under section 100 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (provision of financial resources). It makes consequential changes to sections 100, 101

and 103 of that Act.

Amendment 33, page 56, line 17, leave out ‘employment’ and insert ‘service’.

This amendment, together with amendment 34, is to clarify that “apprenticeship training” in section 83 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 includes training provided in connection with any contract of service or contract of apprenticeship.

Amendment 34, page 56, line 18, after ‘agreement)’ insert ‘or contract of apprenticeship’.

See amendment 33.

Amendment 35, page 57, line 38, at end insert—