Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had recently with business in the West Midlands regarding the availability of skilled engineers. [28529]
§ Mr. BattleMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade visited major West Midlands manufacturing companies on 26 January 1998. Similar visits to the region were made by myself and my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry in October.
My Department is aware that skill shortages exist in the West Midlands in particular sectors, such as automotive and construction, which are key to competitiveness of the region. Local organisations, including schools, Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) and FE Colleges are responding to such shortages to encourage more young people into engineering. Examples of activity include TEC-funded Modern Apprenticeships in engineering, schools working with the Engineering Employers' Federation to give work experience in engineering and FE colleges working with specific employers to address skill needs. A particular example is an advanced engineering centre being developed at Sutton Coldfield College in conjunction with local employers including LDV.
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