HC Deb 24 May 2004 vol 421 cc1473-4W
Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to match the skills development of the unemployed to employer demands in the workplace. [172631]

Jane Kennedy

Through initiatives like the New Deal and Ambition, Jobcentre Plus provides a range of help to people needing to improve their skills in order to find work and fill vacancies.

Employers have been involved from the start in the design of New Deal to ensure it meets business needs. New Deal is delivered by local partnerships, including training organisations and employers, and is tailored to meet the needs of local economies. Training is procured locally and linked to employer need.

The Ambition initiatives aim to help unemployed and disadvantaged people gain the right skills to meet employer needs in key sectors. The sectors targeted are those with skills shortages and employers are closely involved in the development and design of training.

Jobcentre Plus also works with key economic partners at local and regional level to ensure our activities meet with business and economic priorities for the area. Since October 2002, each English region has had in place a Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESAs). FRESAs aim to maintain and improve regional labour markets by co-ordinating a strategy for employment and skills in each region, and ensuring a more efficient and co-ordinated service.

The publication of the 2003 Skills Strategy, "21st Century Skills—Realising Our Potential", has increased the momentum for the skills agenda for those in and out of work. Jobcentre Plus will continue to work with partners at a national regional and local level to ensure the ambitions of the skills strategy are developed in a way that makes a real difference to individuals and employers, ensuring that employers get employees with the skills they need for their business.

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