Visits: Salford
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Minister with responsibility State for Business and Enterprise last visited Salford in a ministerial capacity. [51497]
Mr Prisk: Although I allocate considerable time to making regional visits, I have not unfortunately, been able to visit Salford, near Manchester yet. I have, however, recently visited the North East.
Vocational Training
Mr Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess
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the contribution of vocational training and apprenticeships to the economy; and if he will make a statement. [51164]
Mr Hayes: Research commissioned by the Department suggests that further education participants who started a qualification in 2008/09 will generate an additional £75 billion for the economy over their working lives. These benefits include increased wages and improved employment prospects for individuals, as well as benefits to employers stemming from increased productivity.
This research examines the economic value generated by Government-funded post-19 qualifications—including apprenticeships, national vocational qualifications (NVQs) undertaken in college, training provider and workplace settings, and basic skills qualifications—and the full report can be accessed at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/higher-education/research-analysis/research-reports/measuring-economic-impact-further-education