HL Deb 03 June 1997 vol 580 c22WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By what measure "nearly two thirds of the British workforce lack vocational qualifications" (to quote the Labour Party manifesto); on what data that measure is based and by what means it may be derived therefrom; whether it is by that measure that progress towards the achievement of the manifesto pledge that "We will promote adult learning both at work and in the critical sector of further education" may be judged; and whether that measure and pledge apply also to Northern Ireland.

Baroness Blackstone

The skills audit, published in 1996, showed that in 1994 24 per cent. of the workforce had vocational qualifications at Level 2 and above, with a further 6 per cent. having served a trade apprenticeship. We hope and expect that measures to promote lifelong learning will increase the proportion of those with qualifications in all parts of the United Kingdom.