To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people (a) started and (b) completed a training course under the Train to Gain scheme in the last 12 months. (270529)

[holding answer 23 April 2009]: Train to Gain is the Government’s flagship service providing advice, support and funding to employers in England, of all sizes and in all sectors. It gives employers better access to a wider range of opportunities for improving the skills of their employees, and the productivity of their business.

Learner participation in Train to Gain is recorded in the Statistical First Release, which was issued on 26 March 2009 by the national Data Service. The Statistical First Release provides data by academic year, and shows that 346,200 people started a training course through Train to Gain between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2008 and 386,200 started between 1 August 2008 and 31 January 2009.

187,300 individuals achieved a qualification between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2008, and 152,000 achieved one between 1 August 2008 and 31 January 2009.

Further information is available in the Statistical First Release which can be found at:

http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfrmar09/summary.htm