I thank the Minister for her statement today. On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, I give a broad welcome to the aims and objectives contained in this statement today. Improving the skills of the Welsh people will lead to a more prosperous society, with higher rates of employment and a lower level of poverty, and it will reduce inequality in Wales. We know that the skills of the Welsh workforce lag behind not only the more prosperous regions of the United Kingdom, but also the world’s leading advanced countries. So, can I ask the Minister how she will encourage collaborative working between all aspects of the education system and the business community, and promote more choices for learners?

Unemployment rates in our most disadvantaged areas remain stubbornly high. Apprenticeships are best suited to people who learn best in a practical setting. Will the Minister expand on her plans to prioritise investment in our most disadvantaged areas to develop employability and help people into jobs? For the Welsh Government’s strategy to succeed, it must have the confidence of employers. Can the Minister assure this Assembly that the views of businesses were taken into account when formulating her policies, and will she increase support for businesses in Wales? Businesses have expressed concerns in the past about the levels of literacy and numeracy of working-age adults. How will the Minister address this problem here?

Finally, Deputy Presiding Officer, I would like to know how the Minister proposes to monitor progress towards her aims to ensure she delivers the highly trained workforce needed to reduce poverty, encourage businesses to grow, and to regenerate our most deprived communities in the Valleys and Wales.