HC Deb 20 May 2004 vol 421 cc1149-50W
Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the number of 14 to 16-year-olds that will register for young apprenticeships in each of the next three years. [173748]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

We estimate that 1,000 pupils will participate in the Young Apprenticeship programme from September 2004. It is our intention to rapidly accelerate the number of places in year two.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department will take to ensure the(a) young apprenticeship, (b) apprenticeship and (c) advanced apprenticeship schemes are successful in recruiting and retaining trainees. [173749]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

For young apprenticeships, the strategy is to set high quality standards, offer attractive learning opportunities alongside the statutory curriculum and ensure that recruits have good means of support for the duration of the programme. First, we have set demanding entry criteria for both the candidates and the partnerships that want to participate in the programme. Second, recruits will have every incentive to complete the programme as they will gain worthwhile skills, experience and qualifications as well as more training opportunities. Third, the programme will provide generous funding as well as comprehensive advice and support from partners such as the Sector Skills Councils. Finally, we believe the programme will meet an unmet need and will therefore prove itself popular among the recruits.

For apprenticeships post 16 accurate initial assessment by the Learning and Skills Council working with the Connexions Service will ensure that young employees are placed on the programme most appropriate to their training need. In addition the LSC published its 'Quality Improvement Strategy to 2006' in February 2004. This sets out how the LSC will set out to improve training provider performance including the setting minimum performance levels. Where these are not met the LSC will withdraw contracts from providers. We are looking to SSCs to work with the LSC to raise levels of employer engagement in apprenticeship programmes.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial incentives will be available to(a) apprentices and (b) employers providing (i) young apprenticeships, (ii) apprenticeships and (iii) advanced apprenticeships; what the cost to the public purse will be of incentives to (A) apprentices and (B) employers in the next three years; and whether those costs will be met from his Department's existing budgets. [174037]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

As we announced on 10 May 2004, financial incentives for apprentices and employers are being reviewed as part of a range of reforms to ensure apprenticeships are fit for purpose and meet employers' needs. Decisions are subject to subject to post-Spending Review allocations and announcements will be made when appropriate.