Written question asked by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 April 2002. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 April 2002 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what shortages of (a) drivers, (b) signallers and (c) tracklayers exist within the railway industry; and how many vacancies there are within the industry for (i) middle managers, (ii) graduates and (iii) others. - Inc table.

Answer: Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what shortages of (a) drivers, (b) signallers and (c) tracklayers exist within the railway industry; and how many vacancies there are within the industry for (i) middle managers, (ii) graduates and (iii) others. [50904] John Healey: The Progress Report on "Delivering the Framework for Skills in the Rail Industry", published in December 2001 by the Strategic Rail Authority and my Department, gives the following information on skill shortages for these occupations: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Occupational group Population Number of skill shortages Percentage Trade Occupations Train driving 19,000 855 4.5 Signal operation (and control) 6,500 {1}(795) 100 {1}(12.3) 1.5 Track laying and maintenance 10,000 1,200 12 First line/middle management 18,650 755 4 Graduate and professional staff 20,000 1,638 8 Other occupations 45,050 {2}-- {2}-- _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} These figures have been amended since the report was published, as new information became available. {2} Not available.

Secondary information