HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 c505W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which sector skills councils are accredited; when they were accredited; and when the remainder will be operational. [1324981]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

We are making good progress in setting up the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). I expect the network of around 25 SSCs will be in place by summer 2004, as outlined in the recently published White Paper, "21st Century Skills. Realising Our Potential". Between April and October this year, four SSCs have been awarded full five-year licences to operate. They cover IT, Telecommunications and Contact Centres; Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies; Construction and Active Leisure and Learning. Plans are well advanced for the development of proposals for a further 17 SSCs, including the live trailblazer SSCs. In addition, the SSDA continues to work with a number of other sectors to ensure the right coverage.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Department for Trade and Industry about joint funding streams for(a) sector skills councils and (b) related training opportunities; and if he will make a statement with specific reference to the ceramics industry. [132496]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

The Skills Strategy White Paper, "21st Century Skills, Realising our Potential", set out our intention that the DTI should jointly sponsor, with DfES, the Skills for Business Network.

Discussions are taking place at official level regarding the details of this arrangement, including funding. The Secretaries of State for Education and Skills and Trade and Industry will receive proposals for their consideration at the end of this year.

Although the ceramics industry does not meet the criteria for establishing a dedicated Sector Skills Council (SSC), the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) is working with the Association of Ceramic Training and Development to put in place effective arrangements for bringing the ceramics industry fully within the Skills for Business Network.