HC Deb 26 February 1970 vol 796 cc1382-5
21. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what criteria are employed when deciding which courses are to be provided at Government training centres.

Mr. Dell

The main criteria are whether the courses are needed to help in reducing persistent shortages of skilled labour, whether there is likely to be a continuing demand for the training and whether its nature and importance are such as to justify providing training facilities in Government training centres. Some courses are provided primarily to assist the resettlement of the disabled.

Mr. Lewis

Is there not a need for a more frequent review of the type of courses that are being provided so that we can provide these courses more readily and quickly to people who need them?

Mr. Dell

There is a constant review. The success of the system is shown by the high percentage of people who are rapidly found employment after they have taken the courses. One particular type of training now being provided—sponsor-training —is tailored to the particular requirements of the employer sponsoring the trainee.

Mr. James Johnson

Would my right hon. Friend take as one of his criteria the number of unemployed looking for jobs where there are unfilled vacancies? Is he aware that in Hull we have 10 men looking for one unfilled vacancy? When will he do something about this?

Mr. Dell

We have Government training centres in Hull, too. The main emphasis, proportionately, in the very rapid development in Government training centre provision in this country since 1964 has been in development areas, where unemployment is greatest.

22. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many of those who have completed courses at Government training centres have subsequently been unemployed for three months or longer.

Mr. Dell

During the past year about 8 per cent. of those taking courses at Government training centres have not been placed in their training trades within three months of completing training. On 31st January, 1970, the total number of such trainees who were still unplaced was 320. These figures include ex-trainees who may have taken temporary employment outside their training, trades.

Mr. Lewis

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a sufficient liaison round the country with various employers and industries so that they are aware that these people are available? Is he satisfied that the scope is not just localised in one employment area?

Mr. Dell

We frequently discuss these matters in the areas and nationally with employers and trade unions. The success of the policy is shown by the fact that the figure of 320 unplaced persons is less than 3 per cent. of the total number of trainees trained in Government training centres during 1969.

Mr. Dudley Smith

To what extent is the unemployment due to the refusal of some craft unions to accept those who have been newly trained in new skills?

Mr. Dell

There are certain areas where difficulties are experienced with certain branches of trade unions. Overall there is excellent co-operation from the trade unions. I emphasise the very small figure of those unplaced, which shows the success of the policy and its acceptability to the trade unions.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my own General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers has made it perfectly clear that, while we have co-operated with the Government to the full in these schemes, unless we can be guaranteed some employment for our own people in the building industry we obviously cannot continue to support these schemes in the way that we have done in the past? Is it not time that this question of unemployment in the building industry was dealt with once and for all?

Mr. Dell

I have discussed this question with representatives of the unions in the construction industry. We are aware of the particular problem in that industry and have reduced the number of training places there. I hope that there will not be any long-term difficulties of the type my hon. Friend mentioned.

23. Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many of those who completed courses at Government training centres were unemployed at the latest time for which figures are available.

Mr. Dell

This information is not available in the form requested. On 31st January, 1970, 797 men who had completed courses at Government training centres were still unplaced in their training trades; 232 of these had finished their training during January. These figures include ex-trainees who may be temporarily employed outside their training trades.

Mr. Fry

Despite the fact that I was not given the figures for which I asked, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the figures that he has given me and, if not, what steps does he intend taking to reduce those figures?

Mr. Dell

I am not entirely satisfied, obviously, in that there are certain people who have been trained and who yet lack employment in their trade. Nevertheless, over 90 per cent. of the people being trained in Government training centres obtain employment in their trained trades within three months of leaving.