Written question asked by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 October 1996. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Monday, 14 October 1996 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: What assessment she has made of the major areas of employment where there will be skill shortages in the remainder of the 1990s;and what assessment she has made of the impact these shortages will have on manufacturing industry.

Answer: Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the major areas of employment where there will be skill shortage in the remainder of the 1990s; and what assessment she has made of the impact these shortages will have on manufacturing industry. [39995] Mr. Paice: The Department commissions an annual survey of employers assessing the extent of hard-to-fill vacancies currently and in 12 months' time. Rapidly changing technology, international competition and customer needs mean skills shortages cannot be predicted too far ahead. It is for local training and enterprise councils to monitor labour market needs in their own areas. Government programmes such as training for work, national traineeships and modern apprenticeships provide the basis of provision for the identified needs.

Secondary information