Sector Skills Councils

HC Deb 22 April 2002 vol 384 c76W

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings her Department has had with the sector skills councils since their inception. [49847]

John Healey

There are currently five Trailblazer SSCs covering the following sectorsRetail Environmental and Land Based Industries Apparel, Footwear and Textiles Audio Visual Industries Oil and Gas Extraction, Petroleum Refining and Marketing, and Chemicals Manufacturing and Processing.

My Department holds regular meetings with the Trailblazer SSCs. Meetings have also been facilitated by my Department's officials between the Trailblazer SSCs and the devolved Administrations, other Government Departments, and other partner organisations.

Meetings have also taken place between the Department and the potential sector skills councils.

This regular dialogue will continue in order for the sector skills councils to achieve their aim of leading the skills and productivity drive in industry and business sectors which is recognised by employers. They will bring together employers, trade unions and professional bodies in working with Government to develop the skills to meet the demand from businesses in order to close the skills gaps between the UK and our competitors.