§ 5. Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what subjects will be covered under the proposed Open University PICKUP scheme of special courses for the retraining of people in mid-career.
§ Mr. William SheltonThe Department has asked the Open University to earmark £1 million of its 1982 recurrent funds for the development of suitable courses for PICKUP—the new professional industrial and commercial updating initiative. The details are currently being worked out, according to need and likely demand.
§ Mr. DurantIs my right hon. Friend aware that many of us welcome that innovation? Is he further aware that, whatever the state of the economy, many people will have to change their careers many times in future? Will my right hon. Friend encourage the Open University to bring in new technologies—microcircuitry, and so on—because they are important to the country's future?
§ Mr. SheltonI welcome my hon. Friend's support. He is right. It is unrealistic to expect education to last someone for 50 years of working life with current technological change. I shall convey his views to the Open University.
§ Mr. GreenwayMy hen. Friend will know that I am a member of the council of the Open University. Will my hon. Friend underline the excellence of that university in this sphere, as in so many others.
§ Mr. SheltonI do so with great pleasure.