HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 cc214-5W
Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what schemes other than the Modern Apprenticeship scheme are in place for the provision of skills and vocational training. [154970]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

The aim of the national Skills for Life strategy is to improve adult literacy, language and numeracy skills. The target is to improve the basic skills of 1.5 million adults by 2007. From September this year, we will be phasing in an entitlement to free provision for level 2 learning for adults who do not already have a qualification at this level. For those already in the workforce, there are 12 Employer Training Pilots testing ways of encouraging employers to train low-skilled workers to a first level 2 or basic skills qualification. A further six pilots will begin in September this year.

Entry to Employment (E2E) is a new work-based programme for young people aged 16–18. It will enable those with few or no qualifications to make a successful transition into a Modern Apprenticeship, sustained employment or further vocational learning opportunities. The Increased Flexibility for 14–16 year olds programme is providing vocational courses for around 90,000 pupils at Key Stage 4.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding per capita will be provided for vocational education training schemes other than the Modern Apprenticeship in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154971]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding will be provided for Modern Apprenticeship schemes in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154972]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding per capita will be provided for(a) skills-based learning, (b) vocational education, (c) evening classes run by colleges, (d) skills and vocational training and (e) skills training run by colleges for employers in each year from 2003 to 2006. [154973]

Alan Johnson

The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Neither the Department nor the LSC allocate separate funding to the specific areas identified at(a) to (e) above. Funding for these specific areas will be drawn from funds allocated to the LSC for either Work Based Learning or Further Education.

The Average in Learning cost for Work Based Learning in 2003–04 is £2,687 for those in the 16–18 age range, and £2,361 for those aged 19 and above. Based upon indicative budgets these figures are expected to rise to £2,896 and £2,552 respectively in 2004–05; and to £2,967 and £2,608 respectively in 2005–06.

Assumed total funding per full time equivalent student in further education allocated to the LSC is £4,240 in 2003–04; £4,460 in 2004–05; and £4,650 in 2005–06.