§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement about his new apprenticeships initiative with respect to(a) Alyn and Deeside, (b) Clwyd and (c) Wales;
(2) what measures he is adopting to encourage the provision of more apprenticeships.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSome £3.6 million has been allocated to training and enterprise councils in Wales for the implementation of modern engineering apprenticeships in the current financial year. That will support a total of 550 apprenticeship places and contribute to the training of some 1,400 people as specialist workplace trainers. Some £2.2 million of the total is being made available to colleges of further education to buy engineering equipment. Allocations have been made on the basis of TEC areas. North East Wales TEC, which includes Alyn and Deeside within its area, has been allocated 50 apprenticeship places, 112 trainer training places and £225,000 for college equipment.