Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Anne Moffat (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 12 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Unemployment (New Skills)

Question: Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to celebrate people who achieve decent skills in any sort of industry—whether the manufacturing, nuclear or construction industries? It is easy to get an academic to give a view on something, but it is difficult to get hold of a skilled plumber to fix the loo. Surely we need to celebrate what those people do.

Answer: I entirely agree. It is pleasing to see that many, if not all, further education colleges now hold celebration evenings and events during the year. Last week, we had an enormously successful apprenticeships week in England. That was a particular opportunity to celebrate the success of people who have achieved real and valuable vocational qualifications. I am pleased that as a result of actions taken by party political colleagues north of the border, there is now—rather belatedly—to be added investment in the apprenticeship programme there; more young Scottish people will be able to celebrate success in apprenticeships too.

Secondary information