Training (Hansard, 3 December 1993)

§ Mr. Tredinnick
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new training initiatives will be announced in the near future.

§ Miss Widdecombe
In his Budget speech, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government's plans to introduce modern apprenticeships.
By offering young people high-quality work-based training leading to technician, supervisor and similar level qualifications, modern apprenticeships will have the potential to make a significant contribution to our economic competitiveness. We aim to increase to over 40,000 the number of young people achieving national vocational qualifications at level 3 through training in England—roughly tripling the current number.

§ Mr. Rooker
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed persons on the training for work programme achieved recognised qualifications in the latest period for which figures are available.

§ Miss Widdecombe
Training for work replaced employment training in April 1993 and it is still too early to say how many leavers have gained a qualification. The latest period for which figures are available is April 1992 to December 1992. In that period 36 per cent. of all employment training leavers in Great Britain gained a qualification or credit towards one.