HC Deb 04 December 1979 vol 975 cc222-3
13. Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of trainees in the training opportunities programme have subsequently entered employment in their field of training or a related trade.

Mr. Prior

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that three months after completing their TOPS training during 1978–79, 59 per cent. of adults were in a job using the skills they had learnt. In discussions with the commission I have emphasised my concern that its training efforts should be aimed at providing the skills for tomorrow's needs, not yesterday's, and I will be having further discussions with it on ways of improving the training services it provides. I welcome useful suggestions on how this can best be achieved.

Mr. Rathbone

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this is a better application of Government expenditure than the vastly expensive jobcentres which are indiscriminate in their direction and in their constituency?

Mr. Prior

I think that jobcentres have a part to play in improving the uptake of jobs, but I thing that the organisation has been a bit too extravagant in recent years, and we shall be looking at that problem. I am deeply dissatisfied with the amount of money we are spending as a nation—not just the Government—on training, and yet we have more vacancies for skilled people at a time of recession than ever before. Something is not right with our training exercise. A review is needed and is taking place. In due course we shall present proposals to the House.

Mr. Hooley

If the Secretary of State is dissatisfied with training, why has he cut back Government subventions to the training boards?

Mr. Prior

I do not believe that I am cutting back on any subventions which are going into the provision of the skills of tomorrow. However, there is a lot of wasted expenditure on training boards, as on other parts of our training services. We are determined to put that right.

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