§ 12. Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance his Department gives to people wishing to move from industrial to clerical or other white collar jobs.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonTaxpayers' money is currently being spent on training about 25,000 people in clerical and computer-related skills. The Open Tech will ensure that technician and supervisor training is more accessible.
§ Mr. GreenwayI welcome my hon. Friend's reply and the drift behind it, but is he aware that the microchip and other factors have brought and will continue to bring an end to a number of industrial jobs, which will be replaced by secretarial and white collar type jobs? Does he agree that renewed effort is needed in training for people to move from one area to the other?
§ Mr. MorrisonI certainly agree with my hon. Friend. I assure him that I and the Manpower Services Commission are concentrating on technician training, because we realise that that is the way ahead.