HARLOW MP, Robert Halfon rose on the floor of the House of Commons to face a question on apprenticeships.

Labour MP, Stephen Timms asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of differential rates of apprenticeship completion by sector; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Halfon said: “Apprenticeship achievement rates by sector subject area vary from 60.4% (Science and Maths) to 78.9% (Information and Communication Technology).

With the exceptions of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care, Arts, Media and Publishing and Science and Mathematics, the achievement rate for all Sector Subject Areas increased between the 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years.

“Our reforms are improving the quality of all apprenticeships. We have insisted that they must all be paid jobs with substantial training, develop transferable skills and have a minimum 12 months’ duration. Ensuring that, at the end of their apprenticeship, apprentices have transferable skills and can progress their career will all help encourage people to complete their apprenticeship.