5. Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report: Apprenticeships in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 9 May 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:50, 9 May 2018

Well, we've got a whole suite of measures where we are promoting, trying to get women into these areas. This is not an easy task—this is not easy. If anyone's got any good ideas, then let us know, because it is a very, very difficult task. What we have introduced is these 'have a go' days. Sometimes, these are specifically targeted at women to try and make sure that they have a go at welding and trying these professions that perhaps they won't have thought of going into. So, we're doing our best; we're encouraging it. I'm trying my best with my own daughter, but you can go so far, and, at the end of the day, I think we've got to make this fun for them and introduce them really early, which is why STEM has got to start in school. You've got to start at a very, very young age and that's what is happening through our education system as well.

We're reviewing the recruitment practices for apprenticeships specifically in the engineering sector. So, I think that is something that we need to focus on; it's these sectors where we have to focus. Siân Gwenllian, just to make it clear that