HC Deb 09 June 2004 vol 422 cc457-8W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on apprenticeship schemes supported by the Department. [176483]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

There are currently over 255,000 apprenticeships supported by the Department, the highest number ever and more than three times as many as in 1997.1n order to ensure that the initiative meets the evolving needs of the economy we have decided to make some changes. Our overall aim is to build up a coherent ladder of high quality vocational opportunities responsive to the needs of young people, older workers and business.

On 10 May the Government announced its intention to put in place a family of apprenticeship programmes to suit a variety of needs from aged 14 upwards. These will include: Junior Apprenticeships for 14 to 16-year-olds, a pre-apprenticeship route within the existing Entry to Employment programme, Apprenticeships at NVQ Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeships at NVQ Level 3 and a strengthened progression route into higher education, including vocational Foundation Degrees. In addition we are developing Apprenticeships for Adults in those sectors with the greatest need.

Mrs. Humble

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many residents of Blackpool North and Fleetwood have undertaken apprenticeships in each of the last five years. [176208]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

The information requested is not available at parliamentary constituency level. Nor is the information available on a consistent geographical basis over the last five years. However, the following table shows the number of starts on apprenticeships (formerly known as Advanced Modern Apprenticeships) and apprenticeships at level two (formerly known as Foundation Modern Apprenticeships) in the Lancashire LSC area between April 2001 and the end of July 2003, as well as the number of starts from April 1998 to March 2001 in the two TECs that amalgamated into Lancashire LSC—ELTEC and LAWTEC.

Time period1 TEC/LSC Advanced MA Foundation MA
April 1998 to

March 1999

 ELTEC 1,000 400
LAWTEC 1,600 100
April 1999 to

March 2000

 ELTEC 800 1,100
LAWTEC 1,900 1,800
April 2000 to

March 2001

 ELTEC 900 1,300
LAWTEC 1,800 2,100
April 2001 to

July 2002

 Lancashire LSC 1,900 4,100
August 2002 to

July 2003

 Lancashire LSC 1,500 3,300
1TECs reported the figures years. LSC reports figures in academic years. The first LSC 'year' was 16 months in order to bring the financial year into line with academic years.
Source
TEC Management Information
LSC Individualised Learner Record

Paul Holmes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional funding will be earmarked for apprenticeships for people aged over 25 years in financial year 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [177013]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

We and the LSC are working with SSCs and key partners towards initial trials of apprenticeships for adults in a small number of sectors in England starting later this year, funded in 2004–05 by the LSC with other agencies. Funds for expansion of apprenticeships for adults in 2005–06 and beyond will be subject to post-spending review allocations.