§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to expand the number of places available on level two courses in further education colleges. [169327]
§ Alan JohnsonThe availability of learning at level two in further education institutions is key to meeting our Skills Strategy objective, outlined in the White Paper 21st Century Skills—Realising Our Potential, of reducing the number of adults without the foundation of skills needed for employability. Local Learning and Skills Councils are prioritising level two provision for those lacking such skills in their discussions with colleges about their plans for 2004–05. From September this year we will be trialling, in the North East and South East regions, a new entitlement enabling adults in the labour force without a full level two qualification to have access to free learning for their first full level two qualification.