§ Mr. OlnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to include the manufacturing sector in the trailblazers for the new sector skills councils. [34577]
§ Ms HewittThe DTI was represented in the interdepartmental group that considered bids to become trailblazer sector skills councils. We are pleased that important manufacturing interests such as textiles, oil and gas production, refining and distribution and chemicals manufacture are represented amongst the trailblazers. We are committed to building the conditions in which a successful manufacturing sector can thrive. The network of business-led sector skills councils currently being put in place will provide the framework in which to develop a highly skilled workforce that will support improved productivity and innovation in manufacturing companies in the UK.