HC Deb 31 July 1984 vol 65 c207
4. Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many women are currently being trained in skillcentres.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. Peter Morrison)

Of the 82,000 people expected to benefit from the training opportunities scheme in 1984–85, it is estimated that some 24,500 will be women, of whom around 400 are expected to train at skillcentres.

Ms. Richardson

Is not that figure, showing 3 to 4 per cent. of those training at skillcentres to be women, disgracefully low, considering that women want to take the courses at skillcentres? Does it not reveal the necessity for the Department of Employment to monitor, regularly, the numbers of women applying for the courses and the numbers being accepted on to them? It must also ensure that women have proper, flexible hours, creche facilities, and adequate initial training to enable them to take the opportunities offered by the courses themselves.

Mr. Morrison

I can assure the hon. Lady that we shall obtain more up-to-date information on course categories, about which I shall write to her. The 400 women whom I mentioned represent about 3 to 4 per cent. of all those training at skillcentres, but the hon. Lady will appreciate that the figure of 24,500 out of a total of 82,000 on the TOPS courses puts a different complexion on the matter.

Mr. Alexander

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is scope for training in rural craft skills which might otherwise die out? Is there not scope for expanding the work of skillcentres in this regard?

Mr. Morrison

I agree with my hon. Friend that training must relate to the placing rate at the end of the course. I am glad to be able to tell him that several of the courses that we are running have a 100 per cent. placing rate—for example, the carpentry and joinery course at the Slough skillcentre.