To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be applied for targeting support for level 3 qualifications (a) by sector and (b) by region. [126803]
Support for intermediate skills at level 3 will be focussed on those in priority sectors and to meet specific regional skills needs. Criteria for targeting the level 3 support will be determined in consultation with the Sector Skills Development Agency, the Learning and Skills Council and the Regional Development Agencies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy to offer a renewed entitlement to free learning at level 2 to people whose previous skills have become obsolete. [126804]
The entitlement to free provision for level 2 learning announced in the White Paper "21st Century Skills: Releasing Our Potential" is for those without a qualification at that level. Decisions about the use of public funds for learning in addition to the level 2 entitlement will take account of the needs of those without higher level technical and craft skills and people who are re-skilling for new careers or returning to the labour market. We will consider the question of issue of old or obsolete qualifications which will be examined as we implement the overall Skills Strategy.
| Young (under 21) | Mature (over 21) | |
| Low risk | A-levels or Highers with at least 17 points: degree or higher | A-levels or Highers with at least 27 points: degree or higher |
| Medium risk | A-levels or Highers of 9 to 16 points; foundation courses; Baccalaureate | A-levels or Highers with less than 27 points; HE below degree level; foundation courses; access courses |
| High risk | Less than 9 A-level points; access course; BTEC; GNVQ level 3; HE below degree level; none; others; unknown. | BTEC; GNVQ level 3; Baccalaureate; none; others; unknown. |
| Young (under 21) | Mature (over 21) | |
| Medium risk | 250 | 370 |
| High risk | 370 | 620 |