Written question asked by Dari Taylor (Labour) on Thursday, 21 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 February 2008. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Friday, 7 March 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Apprenticeships: Teesside

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps the Government plan to take to increase the number of apprenticeship in (a) Teesside and (b) Stockton.

Answer: The Tees Valley Learning and Skills Council will build on its existing work with partners including employers, sector skills councils and the Tees Valley work-based learning provider network to increase the number of apprenticeships on offer locally.Government plan to expand the number and range of apprenticeships in England were set out in 'World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for AH11 available at:"http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/world_class_ apprenticeships.pdl"Over the past decade, we have more than doubled the number of young people and adults starting apprenticeships in England. Over the period to 2020 we project that apprenticeship starts will increase to over 250,000 per year.

Secondary information