HC Deb 27 April 1993 vol 223 cc843-4
14. Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent discussions she has held with employers' organisations on measures to increase the number of young people undergoing apprenticeship training.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government, working with TECs and other employers' organisations, is progressively extending youth credits to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time further education.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister appreciate that Britain's future is tied up with education and training together with the rebuilding of our manufacturing base and, alongside that, we face ever more intense competition in international markets? Therefore, will he tell those reluctant employers who are not training sufficient numbers of their employees that they are, quite literally, failing the nation?

Mr. Forsyth

I agree with the hon. Gentleman and I shall certainly tell employers who are already doing more to do even more for training and to encourage apprenticeships. In return, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will tell those people in the Labour party and the trade unions who opposed youth training, employment training and every other Government training initiative, to change their minds and give us some support.

Mr. Streeter

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Devon and Cornwall the Government guaranteed training place scheme for 16 and 17-year-olds is working extremely well, with almost every youngster who has applied for such a place being accommodated well within six weeks? Does he agree that the Devon and Cornwall TEC is operating extremely successfully—[Interruption.] Does he agree that the Devon and Cornwall TEC is doing a great job and should be congratulated?

Mr. Forsyth

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is because of the work that has been done by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that the youth training guarantee scheme is being delivered despite the difficulties that were caused by the recession. It would be a matter of considerable support for the TECs if the House would acknowledge their splendid work, including that which my hon. Friend has outlined today.

Mr. Janner

Does the Minister know that in many great manufacturing cities such as Leicester, there has been no decrease in unemployment? Over the years, there has been a vast increase among young people desperate for work. As apprenticeships have dropped—and we know why—surely the Government could do much more to help young people to get jobs at the end of their training.

Mr. Forsyth

As the hon. and learned Gentleman will know from his role as Chairman of the Select Committee, the youth training scheme has been remarkably successful in getting young people into jobs or ensuring that they get qualifications—indeed, it has helped some three quarters of them. It is particularly surprising that Opposition Members do not know that. I agree with the hon. Gentleman's point about apprenticeships. Training in the workplace is second to none and we should encourage apprenticeships. What a pity it is that the trade union movement did so much to destroy so many apprenticeships in Britain.