James Evans is pressing the Welsh Government to ensure that youngsters are aware of the options available to them when they leave school.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS asked at the Senedd for an update on the uptake of degree apprenticeships.

He said we all know that going to university isn’t for everybody.

Mr Evans said: “I recently visited a school in my constituency and talked about the importance of going to do degrees — or degree apprenticeships - as an option for pupils to enter the world of work.

“I would be interested to know what work the Welsh Government is doing with school-leavers to make sure that they know the range of options available to them when they leave school so that they can enter degrees or degree apprenticeships and they can learn while working.”

Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, said level apprenticeships, as are all other apprenticeships, are the policy responsibility of the Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething.

He told Mr Evans: “We work closely across portfolios. The latest figures show increases in starts from academic years 2019 to 2022 and we recently launched a new rail engineering degree apprenticeship which people will be starting from January.

“I think the Member makes a very important point.

“He will, I’m sure, have read the report of Hefin David in relation to transitions from education to employment which is very much on a similar theme.

“I know he shares that view and I feel strongly about that.

“We have to make sure that our young people are getting the best possible, tailored and bespoke individual advice that relates to their personal circumstances and their personal ambitions.”