00:00We've got a plan to change the country in order to grow the economy, get more money into people's pockets,
00:06rebuild the NHS and cut waiting lists, shift to green power, build new homes for people,
00:12and make sure that people have the opportunity throughout their lives to get on.
00:16And this week we're celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and I've met some brilliant apprentices
00:21and the employers and training providers who support them.
00:24But what employers have also said to us is that, look, if somebody is an adult
00:28and they're studying, they're doing an apprenticeship, completing the occupational standards,
00:33the job-related skills that they need to get, of course it's important that they have English and maths
00:40relevant to that particular job.
00:43It isn't necessarily important that they then take a separate exam in English and maths in order to qualify.
00:49And what's actually happening is that lots of people who could be getting apprenticeships
00:54are actually dropping out because of the exam requirements.
00:57And that's not good for them and it's not good for the economy or the employers either.
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