§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research within the Sector Skills Development Agency has been undertaken which reviews the occupational synergy between the gas, water, electricity and telecommunications industries;
(2) if she intends to establish a sector skills council which represents all the utilities;
(3) how she defines utilities with reference to the sector skills council. [37024]
§ John HealeySector skills councils (SSCs) will be licensed in sectors where employers want one and the SSC standard is met. The licensing standard is contained in a development guide published in November 2001. A key criterion is for SSCs to have an employment base of economic or strategic significance. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) will begin work in April