§ 24. Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in setting up the university for industry. [143483]
§ 35. Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the development of the university for industry. [143494]
§ Mr. WicksA great deal of progress has been made. Using the brand name learndirect, Ufi Ltd. has moved from its development phase to the national roll out of operations, marked by an event on 25 October 2000.
There are now over 770 learndirect centres operating nationally in a wide range of settings. Ufi Ltd. plan that around 1,000 learn direct centres will be in place by spring 2001. Learndirect currently offers over 440 course titles focusing on its initial priorities of basic skills, Information Technology skills at all levels and business skills for small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently over 70 per cent. of learndirect learning materials are available on line.
619WThe learndirect information and advice service, which includes the learndirect telephone helpline (0800 100 900) and is available on the website www.learndirect.co.uk, gives access to a wide range of in partial and accurate information on learning opportunities. The helpline has taken over 2.3 million calls since its launch in February 1998, and the website has taken 780,000 hits requesting information on learning opportunities since its launch in May 2000.