§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which organisations her Department has identified to be approached as possible trailblazer sector skills councils; and what discussions her Department has held with each organisation. [12619]
§ John HealeyThe Department has not approached any organisations about becoming a trailblazer sector skills council. Officials discussed this and other aspects of the sector skills council policy informally with organisations that contacted the Department. These meetings were without commitment by either party. On 2 November I wrote to national training organisations and trade associations inviting them to consider whether they would be interested and able to meet the rigorous requirements for becoming a trailblazer.