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10 Feb 2009 : Column 1865W—continued
Armed Forces
Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units form part of each UK-based regional brigade; and at which location each such unit is based. [254726]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The information requested is shown in the following table:
| Regional brigade | Unit | Location |
Armed Forces: Qualifications
Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of academic qualification were reached by recruits to the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force in 2008; and how many recruits at each level there were. [249575]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The information on academic qualifications of recruits is not held in the format requested and differs between the three services. However, the available data for the Navy and Army are provided: the Navy section providing a breakdown of the academic qualifications overall, while the Army section offers a summary split by officer and other ranks. Unfortunately, due to IT problems within the RAF it is not currently possible to extract the necessary data. I will write to the hon. Member with information for the RAF when this is available and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
The following table reflects the numbers of each qualification held by all new recruits who joined between 1 January-31 December 2008.
| Number | ||
In addition, here are the figures for the Scottish qualifications framework
Recruits were also recorded as having 658 ‘Basic Skills’, 39 ‘GCEs’, two ‘CSEs’ and three Modern apprenticeships.
Basic Skills Levels—The Army reflects the national basic skills picture (within 1 per cent.). Roughly 45 per cent. of all soldiers joining the Army are below Level 1 (GCSE D-G) but since August 2003 80 per cent. of soldiers achieve LI literacy and numeracy within three years. Since 2002, 21,874 national literacy and numeracy qualifications have been awarded to soldiers.
Apprenticeships—65 per cent. of soldiers (4,800) embark on an apprenticeship at either Level 2 (GCSE A*-C) or 3 (A Level) either within Phase 2 training or the Field Army. The Army's achievement rate of apprenticeships is 75 per cent. compared to the national average of 60 per cent. Apprenticeships also include support for literacy and numeracy and as part of the apprenticeship soldiers gain Level 1 literacy and numeracy qualifications.
Accreditation—The majority of training within the Army is accredited to nationally recognised qualifications (March 2007 to April 2008 there were 15,451 Awards). These awards range from Level 1 qualifications through to masters degrees.
Learning credits—All soldiers are entitled to claim learning credits to support their elective educational courses which include academic and vocational qualifications.
In 2007-08, 585 cadets who commenced training at the Royal Military academy Sandhurst (RMAS) were graduate entrants this represents 82 per cent. of a total of 715 who began the standard career courses.
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