§ 35. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Labour what trades are covered by the Government Vocational Training Scheme.
§ Mr. IsaacsAs the list of trades covered by the Government's Vocational Training Scheme is rather long, I will with permission circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ShephardIs the Minister aware that the number of trades covered by the scheme is very limited and that many ex-Servicemen desire training in trades not covered by it? Will he look into the matter again, and see whether he can make provision to extend the scope of the scheme?
§ Mr. IsaacsWe are very anxious that the Government training service should be as helpful as possible, but I do not see that we can take up every individual case. If industries approach us we shall be very glad to meet them and to discuss the matter.
§ Following is the list:
| Trades at present covered by the Government's Vocational Training Scheme. | |
| *Agriculture and Horticulture | M &W |
| Baking | M &W |
| Basket Making | M |
| Boot and Shoe Making (Handsewn) | M |
| *Boot and Shoe Repair | M |
| Building Trades— | |
| *Bricklaying | M |
| *Carpentry | M |
| Masons | M |
| *Painting and Decorating | M |
| Pavior and Flag Dresser | M |
| *Plastering | M |
| *Plumbing | M |
| Slating and Tiling | M |
| *Wood Machining | M |
| Civil Engineering— | |
| Blacksmiths | M |
| Pipe Jointing | M |
| Timberman | M |
| *Cinema Projectionist | M |
| Commercial and Clerical— | |
| *Clerks | M &W |
| *Shorthand Typists | M &W |
| Cotton Spinning | M &W |
| Forestry | M |
| Furniture Trades— | |
| *Cabinet Making | M |
| Upholstery | M |
| Wood Finishing | M |
| Wood Machinists | M |
| Glove Cutting | M &W |
| *Hairdressing | M &W |
| Leather Producing— | |
| Heavy Leather | M |
| Light Leather | M |
| Made Up Leather— | |
| *Light Leather Goods | M &W |
| Heavy Leather and Travel Goods | M |
| Musical Instruments— | |
| *Piano Manufacture | M |
| Neon Sign Making | M &W |
| Pottery | M &W |
| *Retail Distributive Trades | M &W |
| Saddlery and Harness Making | M |
| Tailoring— | |
| *Retail Bespoke | M &W |
| *Typewriter Repair | M |
| *Watch and Clock Repair | M |
| *Woollens (Scottish) | M &W |
| * Courses are in operation in these trades. |
§ 36 and 37. Mr. S. Shephardasked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of able-bodied ex-Servicemen now undergoing a vocational course in factories and workshops;
(2) The number of able-bodied ex-Servicemen now undergoing vocational training courses in Government Training Centres.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe number of ex-Service-men in training with employers under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour on the 17th November was 204, of whom 42 were able-bodied. The number of ex-Service-men in training at training centres, includ 1100 ing technical colleges, on the same date was 3,765 of whom 1,485 were able-bodied. The numbers of the able-bodied in training are increasing rapidly as more facilities become available.
§ Mr. ShephardIs not the Minister aware that many employers are only too anxious to afford facilities for training ex-Service-men in factories and workshops, but that the figure he has given suggests that the offer has not been taken advantage of?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe offer is being taken advantage of as rapidly as we can make the contacts. It is right that I should express appreciation of the very ready cooperation that many employers are giving us.
§ Mr. ShephardDoes the Minister agree that the number is only 204?
§ 39. Lieutenant W. Shepherdasked the Minister of Labour why it is that Servicemen applying for E.V.T. training in the building trades are being rejected by his Department when the needs of the building industry are so pressing.
§ Mr. IsaacsMy Department is not responsible for the Educational and Vocational Training Schemes provided for men in the Services. Men leaving the Services who are in need of training are eligible under the Vocational Training Scheme organised by my Department, and their applications are not rejected if they are adjudged suitable for the trade they wish to learn.
§ 42. Mr. Glanvilleasked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for training centres for returned Servicemen to be established in the Consett area, as these facilities are at present almost nonexistent.
§ Mr. IsaacsThere is already a training centre at Wallsend and new centres will be opened at Aycliffe, North Tyne, Spennymoor and Low Felling. These centres should adequately meet the needs of men in the Consett area.
§ Mr. GlanvilleIs the Minister aware that these proposed Centres are all miles away from the Consett area, and, in any case, can he say if they arc to be opened up in the immediate future and not at some dim and distant date?
§ Mr. IsaacsWe are trying to put these centres in places which can be fairly easily 1101 reached from the surrounding districts, and not to build one in every separate town.