HC Deb 04 November 1980 vol 991 cc1079-80
Mr. Needham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the running of the training schemes for young people sponsored by his Department.

Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission to discuss the training content of the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Jim Lester)

This is an important matter, which we all take seriously. I most welcome the intelligent and constructive remarks my hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham (Mr. Needham) made last Wednesday. We are certainly looking for long-term solutions of the kind my hon. Friend advocates.

My right hon. Friend met the chairman of the MSC on 16 October for a general discussion on future policy. We expect proposals relating to the training content of the youth opportunities programme and other future training provision, to be put forward in the commission's next draft corporate plan.

Mr. Needham

Can my hon. Friend say what is the proportion of off-the-job training that is now included in the youth opportunities programme?

Mr. Lester

I am pleased to tell the House that in 1978–79, 17 per cent. of the young people on the work experience programme received off-the-job training. In 1979–80, it rose to 38 per cent. which is a larger proportion of a greater number of trainees. We want to go still further to improve the quality of vocational training within the youth opportunities programme.

Mr. Madel

As it is important to increase the opportunities for young people to acquire a skill through training, will my hon. Friend say whether the Government are yet ready to proceed with the introduction of the open polytechnic which would do a great deal to give young people a chance to acquire a skill and thereby increase their job prospects?

Mr. Lester

We welcome very much the fifth report of the Education, Science and Arts Select Committee which came out in favour of an "open tech". I am delighted to tell my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend and I are meeting the chairman of the MSC shortly to discuss various proposals that have been put forward. These are early days, but we are making progress.

Mr. Haynes

The Minister comes to the Dispatch Box talking about the training prospects for the youngsters of this nation, but what has he to say about jobs following that training? Is he aware that plenty of my constituents are looking for work but cannot find it because of his policy?

Mr. Lester

The success of young people in finding jobs as a result of the training element within the youth opportunities programme is clear. I am sure that the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes), whose constituency is next door to mine, is aware that many young people in Ashfield are getting jobs through the youth opportunities programme.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the need for training young, severely handicapped people? Is he aware that their life expectancy is great but that their job expectancy is low? Will he take action to see that they are given training opportunities?

Mr. Lester

I am very much aware of this matter, as the hon. Gentleman knows, having been to see me in my Department about it. Only a fortnight ago, I was at the Portland training college for the disabled looking at the training opportunities being given to severely disabled youngsters to enable them to get jobs.