§ The Earl of Ilchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken, following the decision to close RAF Halton and transfer No. 1 735WA School of Technical Training to RAF Cosford, to ensure the long term future of this centre and, in particular, the apprentice training scheme.
§ The Earl of ArranWhen No. 1 School of Technical Training transfers to RAF Cosford, the station will become the focus for all RAF aircraft trade training and, as such, the long-term future of this centre will be secure. However, following a far-reaching review of aircraft engineering trades within the Royal Air Force a new pattern of entry and training has been adopted which has replaced the apprentice entry technical scheme. The last apprentice entry started in March 1990, and in future all technical stream entrants will undertake training and work experience to gain a Business Technical Educational Council National Certificate. The best engineering technicians will receive advanced training to gain a BTEC Higher National Certificate, the level previously attained by aircraft apprentices.