§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he will take to raise the percentage of the London workforce with NVQ Level 2 qualifications. [137490]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Skills Strategy, published in July, set out our intention to introduce a new entitlement for any adult in the labour force to have access to free learning for their first full Level 2 qualification. This entitlement will enable individuals to reach a level of attainment that gives a platform of skills for employability, improve their position in the labour market, and increase their chances of undertaking further learning. We are working with the Learning and Skills Council nationwide on the phasing in of the Level 2 entitlement, with phase one in 2004–05 and full rollout beginning the following year.
The Secretary of State has asked the London Development Agency and its partners to produce proposals showing how they will work together to address the key themes of the Skills Strategy, including raising the percentage of the workforce with Level 2 qualifications. The five local London LSCs are working together as a regional pioneer to ensure a consistent approach to improving the quality and responsiveness of post-16 skills provision through the Success for All strategy.
Employer Training Pilots (ETPs) are testing new financial support measures to improve access to training and enable employees to attain basic and Level 2 skills. The East London pilot was launched in September this year and has already signed up 35 employers, 559 NVQ Level 2 learners and 26 basic skills learners.
In addition, London West LSC is one of the 10 areas piloting the new Adult Learning Grant. The grant offers up to £30 per week to adults on low incomes studying full time for a first full Level 2 qualification, and young adults on low incomes studying full time for a first full Level 3 qualification.