HC Deb 02 February 1988 vol 126 cc836-7
1. Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people entering employment for the first time receive training from their employers.

The Minister for Employment (Mr. John Cope)

The latest evidence that we have on the training of 16-year-old school leavers in full-time employment shows that 65 per cent. receive training in their jobs. That figure comes from the 1986 youth cohort study.

Ms. Mowlam

I thank the Minister for that information. Will he provide similar details for 16 to 18-year-olds starting in September? The Minister assured us that there would be sufficient places for 16 to 18-year-olds in Cleveland when I last asked this question in the House. What plans have been made to make those places available? If those places are not available—and we in Cleveland believe that they will not be available—will benefit be available to those youngsters if there is no training?

Mr. Cope

The original question referred to young people entering employment. for the first time. I think that the hon. Lady is referring to the youth training scheme. At present there are more than 100,000 vacant places on the youth training scheme all over the country. With regard to the Christmas guarantee, well over 99 per cent. of young people who required a YTS place had one by last Christmas. We have every reason to suppose that we shall do better this year.

Mr. Burns

Is my hon. Friend aware that business men in Chelmsford have a record second to none in training their young workers? Is he also aware that young people in Chelmsford warmly welcome YTS because it provides them with training and valuable work experience?

Mr. Cope

Yes, and that is the experience of YTS trainees all over the country. More than 80 per cent. of them find it very worth while.

Mr. Sheerman

Is the Minister not worried that, as some young people experience more employment opportunities, the bad old days are returning, because employers are taking 16-year-olds off YTS and offering them no training? If we have to make it compulsory for young people to enter youth training, is it not about time that we compelled employers to train every 16-year-old, at least until the age of 18? When will we enter that kind of league?

Mr. Cope

I thought that the Opposition were against compulsory training. The number of 16 and 17-year-old unemployed school leavers is at its lowest level since 1974, and that is a good thing. As I have just told the hon. Member for Redcar (Ms. Mowlam), two thirds of those in employment are being trained.

Mr. Devlin

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the proportion of young people receiving training in their first job is higher in the north of England than elsewhere? Will he also confirm that the proportion of people on YTS who enter jobs, and so on, after leaving the scheme is about 75 per cent.?

Mr. Cope

Yes, both those facts are correct.