§ 4. Mr. Bruceasked the Paymaster General how many young people have been followed up by the Manpower Services Commission area office staff since completing their YTS programme.
§ Mr. TrippierSince YTS began in 1983, the commission's head office has arranged follow-up surveys asking YTS leavers about their experience on the programme and what they did on leaving. Initially, these 798 were sample surveys conducted by the MSC's own statisticians, but since April 1985 all YTS leavers have been surveyed by an independent research organisation.
§ Mr. BruceHow many of those youngsters have progressed to useful jobs in an area related to their YTS training? Does the Minister acknowledge the concern that too many youngsters, especially those in areas of high unemployment, simply move from one scheme to another rather than find permanent employment related to the training that they are supposed to have received?
§ Mr. TrippierThe facts show that 57 per cent. of those on YTS go into work, 3 per cent. go on to full-time courses at college and training centres, 7 per cent. join another YTS course, 6 per cent. do something else and 28 per cent. register as unemployed.
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that in his part of the world, and in the travel-to-work area that covers his constituency, the percentage of youngsters who actually find work is much higher.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIs my hon. Friend aware that at a time when training is increasingly important in all areas of employment, there has been a wide welcome for the extension of YTS, so that !no young person under the age of 18 need choose to be unemployed?
§ Mr. TrippierI very much welcome my hon. Friend's comments. For those aged under 18, unemployment is no longer an option. That is something that we should broadcast from the rooftops.