§ 9. Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many training places are envisaged for Wales by the recently announced extension of the job training scheme.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThere are no firm targets for the new job training scheme, but funding is available for up to 6,020 places by autumn 1987. The Manpower Services Commission will proceed at a rate consistent with demand and the maintenance of quality.
§ Mr. JonesI am sure that my hon. Friend would agree that the most important part of the job training scheme is the quality of the training. Can he reassure me that there will be proper emphasis on the quality of training in the new scheme?
§ Mr. RobertsYes, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Trainees will he able to obtain qualifications from recognised examining and validating bodies. The managing agents will have to become approved training organisations, there will be a role for the training standards advisory Service, which is analogous to Her Majesty's Inspectorate in education, and there will be careful monitoring of performane and output.
§ Mr. FootHow much of the extra cost of this scheme has fallen on local authorities which already have very heavy burdens to bear?
§ Mr. RobertsI do not know the details of the cost of the current scheme but, as I implied earlier, it is being introduced in conjunction with the community programme.