§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will carry out a survey covering each industry to establish the numbers of apprentices that were taken on in each of the major industries for each of the last five years; and if he will seek to determine the level of apprenticeships necessary for the creation of a competitive position for United Kingdom industry, and the way in which they are to be trained.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe number of apprentices taken on by industry has fallen over the last five years. Recent levels of apprentice recruitment may be insufficient to meet industry's anticipated future needs. The Government are currently considering whether there is scope for increasing the funds available for the training for skills programme without undermining employers' own efforts. The Government are concerned at the rigidities which surround apprenticeship, which of themselves make both predicting and meeting skill needs very difficult. Through the recent consultative document, "A New Training Initiative" we are seeking to encourage industry to make our skill training arrangements more efficient.