We are responding to this consultation because we believe that apprenticeships offer an essential way of passing on skills and knowledge, not just from one generation to another but from those who have knowledge and skill to those who seek to have it, whatever their ages. We are convinced that adult apprenticeships offer a valuable way of transforming the work and career opportunities of people at different stages of their work lives – the young, those in mid-career and those who have perhaps followed earlier careers but wish or need new skills and knowledge to remain economically active.