HC Deb 12 February 1997 vol 290 c225W
Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her latest estimate for(a) the annual apprenticeship scheme, (b) the number of young people on the scheme and (c) the number of employers in the scheme; and if he will list the outcome figures for those who have completed an apprenticeship. [15088]

Mr. Paice

In December 1996, there were around 60,000 young people participating in modern apprenticeships in England. The cost of modern apprenticeships is included within the overall budget for youth programmes in 1996–97 of £763.5 million. The number of participating employers is not available; neither is information on the outcomes of those completing a modern apprenticeship, as the number who have so far completed their training is small.