§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how long it will take to review and respond to the bids submitted for the Sector Skills Council. [37022]
§ John HealeyEmployers wanting to form a Sector Skills Council (SSC) will submit an expression of interest to the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA). A reply will be made normally within six weeks. Expressions of interest accepted by the SSDA will lead to a development period of up to six months. At the end of this period a firm proposal to form an SSC will be submitted for consideration by the SSDA. There is no set time limit for the consideration of a proposal. If the proposal is acceptable the SSDA will make a positive recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the responsible Ministers in the devolved Administrations for the award of a SSC license.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by when the Sector Skills Council bids have to be submitted. [37021]
§ John HealeyA deadline for the submission of an expression of interest to form a Sector Skills Council has not been set. It is important that a Council has influential employer leadership and broad support from its sector. The Sector Skills Development Agency therefore will consider an expression of interest from employers when they have committed to deliver action to drive up skills and productivity performance in a sector.