§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives his Department has set in place to develop training opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry; and if he will make a statement. [108659]
§ Mr. WicksThe Secretary of State and I announced on 3 February a major new advice, guidance and support service for all 13 to 19-year-olds, called the Connexions Service. This will be a universal service but with intensive help for those in greatest need. It will be at the heart of the Government's strategy to prepare all young people for a successful adult and working life.
My Department also works through the two relevant employer-led National Training Organisations (National Textile Training Organisation (NTTO) and CAPITB, the NTO for the Clothing Sector). CAPITB has placed particular importance on providing high quality careers guidance and actively supports the placement of graduates with employers. Following the restructuring of the
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Percentage of pupils achieving level 2 or above key stage 1 test/tasks and teacher assessments in 1999 Test/Tasks Teacher Assessments Reading Writing Spelling Mathematics Aggregate English Mathematics Science Leeds 83 83 75 86 327 83 86 86 Liverpool 82 82 70 85 319 81 85 85 Sheffield 78 81 68 86 313 79 83 84 Hull 74 76 63 83 296 74 81 82 Islington 74 73 60 81 288 75 80 79 Hackney 71 72 58 79 280 71 77 75 industry both NTOs are refocusing their attention on meeting skill gaps at technologist, management and technician levels.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives his Department has taken to improve (a) the marketing skills of the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry and (b) employment opportunities within the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry. [108660]
§ Mr. WicksThe National Training Organisations for the Textile and Clothing industries (NTTO and CAPITB) are refocusing their work in line with the restructuring of the industries, both bodies having recognised that although the demand for traditional skills is declining there is increased demand for specialist skills. Competitive success depends on the development of such skills with marketing very much to the fore. My Department is encouraging the National Textile Training Organisation and CAPITB, the National Training Organisation for the Clothing and Apparel industries, to develop Skills Foresight for their industries. Skills Foresight involves the collection of skills intelligence in a conscious and planned manner, engaging directly with employers. My Department will help the employer-led NTOs to use this intelligence as the basis for Workforce Development Plans, reviewing the study of education and training to meet the ends identified by Skills Foresight, establishing the necessary partnership arrangements needed to ensure the skill needs of employers and individuals are met and ensuring their plans link to the expected strategies of the Learning and Skills Councils, nationally and locally. In addition the Government support the Apparel and Textile Challenge whose activities include developing marketing skills among textiles and clothing suppliers. We also support the raising of the profile and marketing of "generic brands" such as Scottish Cashmere.