§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to encourage the creation of modern apprenticeships in the photographic sector; and if he will make a statement. [133703]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Government are firmly committed to their Modern Apprenticeships (MA) programme across all sectors, including the photographic sector in England. We have demonstrated that by first commissioning and then, jointly with the Learning and Skills Council, implementing the recommendations of the Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee. Photography featured in the Modern Apprenticeships TV advertisements last year aimed at young people. Under Sir Roy Gardner a business-led Modern Apprenticeship Task Force is taking a key role in promoting MA to employers and thereby contributing to increased take-up. I n doing so we are able to raise both the quality and expand the number of opportunities available. This action supports the Government's broader aims announced in our Skills Strategy White Paper "21st Century Skills" published recently.
The Learning and Skills Council in England determines the allocation of MA places for each sector based on local labour market needs. It is working closely with the Connexions Service, the new Sector Skills Councils (SSC) and others to increase demand for places from both young people and employers. While the number of MAs in the photographic industry is currently small, it is planned that Skillset the Trailblazer SSC for the Audio Visual Industries will shortly include Photo-Imaging, offering an exciting opportunity to further develop effective training for the sector. The number of MAs in learning are at the highest level since they were introduced in 1994—at 234,100. Over 750,000 have started since 1997.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people in(a) Birkenhead and (b) Wirral have entered (i) an advanced modern apprenticeship and (ii) a foundation modern apprenticeship since the schemes' inception. [134343]
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§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe information is not available for the areas requested by my right hon. Friend. However, information is available for old Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) areas and new Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas. The table below shows the number of starts on modern apprenticeships in Greater Merseyside Learning and Skills Council (LSC) between the 26 March 2001 and the end of July 2003, as well as the number of starts from the inception of the programmes until 25 March 2001 in the four TEC areas that became Dart of Greater Merseyside LSC area.
Time period TEC/LSC Advanced MA Foundation MA Inception to March 01 CEWTEC1 5,500 2,500 Merseyside 11,900 8,800 St. Helens CCTE 1,800 1,000 North & Mid Cheshire1 5,300 1,636 March 01 to July 03 Greater Merseyside LSC 4,600 11,000 1 Some of the old TEC area became part of Greater Merseyside LSC, but some of the old TEC area also became part of Cheshire and Warrington LSC.