§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) when she will invite applications from existing national training organisations to become trail-blazer sector skills councils; [10930]
(2) what criteria she will use in approving the trail-blazer sector skills councils; [10928]
(3) what plans she has to issue provisional licences to trail-blazer sector skills councils. [10929]
§ John Healey[holding answer 29 October 2001]: Trail-blazer sector skills councils will provide an early assessment of the impact of influential employer-led bodies in sectors with an employment base of economic or strategic significance. Up to six trail-blazers will be chosen to offer a mix of sectors with a range of different needs and experiences. The trail-blazers will be announced by mid December and will receive provisional licences. In addition to meeting the criteria for being licensed as a Sector Skills Council, trail-blazers will have the capacity to become operational in the spring of 2002.
I have written to the existing National Training Organisations and other sector based employer groups about expressing an interest in becoming a trail-blazer.
868WWhen the proposed trail-blazer SSCs are approved, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills will issue licences on behalf of the UK lifelong learning Ministers.