§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what wage rates trainees on the modern apprenticeship scheme will receive; and how long an apprenticeship will last.
§ Miss WiddecombeWage rates will be a matter between the employer and the young person, reflecting the employer's investment in the training and the expectation of the young person of improved wage rates later on. Modern apprenticeships are not time bound; there will be flexible arrangements for the time individuals need to become qualified, which could by three years or longer.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what industries and types of work are to be covered by the modern apprenticeship scheme as set out in the "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" White Paper; and what has been the change in the number of jobs in these areas since 1979.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe modern apprenticeships initiative will make a major contribution to Britain's skill supply by providing young people with high quality training in technical, craft, supervisory and junior management occupations across a wide range of sectors. The intention is that from September 1995 the modern apprenticeship initiative will cover all sectors, but prototypes will run in the following sectors from September 1994: agriculture, business administration, chemicals, child-care, electrical installation, engineering manufacturing, engineering construction, information technology, marine engineering, Merchant Navy, polymers, retail, steel and travel service.
Information about changes in the number of jobs in these areas is not available in the form and for the period requested. The basis on which occupational information is collected was changed in 1989.
The table provides estimates of the numbers of people working in these occupations for spring 1993 and spring 1991, the earliest date for which comparable data are available:
413W
Employees of working age in Great Britain Occupation 1991 1993 Change+-(Thousands) Change Percentage Managers and Administrators 2,708,736 2,980,610 +272 +10.0 Associate professional and technical occupations 1,875,301 1,882,160 +7 +0.4 Craft and related occupations 2,758,326 2,278,945 -479 -17.4 Source: Labour Force Survey.
Should the hon. Member require information about the earlier period between 1979 and 1989, I will send it to him and place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of(a) low pay and (b) job insecurity on skills levels in the areas covered by the modern apprenticeship scheme.
§ Miss WiddecombeLack of skills often leads to low-paid insecure jobs. By gaining high-quality, relevant skills, young people can improve their employment and earnings prospects. Modern apprenticeships and accelerated modern apprenticeships will help 70,000 young people a year to attain such skills.
Unrealistic pay levels for young people would result in reduced employment and poorer opportunities.