Written question asked by Tony McWalter (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 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 progress has been made by the Modern Apprenticeships Task Force in encouraging businesses to participate in the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.

Answer: Mr. McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made by the Modern Apprenticeships Task Force in encouraging businesses to participate in the Modern Apprenticeship scheme. [198852] Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Apprenticeships Task Force chaired by Sir Roy Gardner, Chief Executive of Centrica plc, was asked to focus on increasing the number of employers taking on apprentices. A significant part of the Task Force's work has involved members championing Apprenticeships within their sector and the wider business community through identifying and promoting the business benefits their companies enjoy from employing apprentices. In addition members are leading by example by increasing the number of apprentices recruited by their companies. The Task Force has also played a key role in supporting the Learning and Skills Council in its ongoing marketing campaign aimed at employers, such as a recent series of articles in the business section of The Mail on Sunday. More information about the work of the Task Force is available on their website www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk and in its Interim Report, which is due to be published shortly.

Secondary information