§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has about specific shortages of certain skilled personnel in the building industry; and what steps he is taking to extend the number of training courses available in Scotland.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there is no evidence of general skill shortages in the building industry. The Construction Industry Training Board is currently engaged in research which includes an examination of the level of skilled manpower available to the industry, particularly in building occupations, scaffolding 288W and electrical contracting, and also within technician and technologist occupations in the construction industry as a whole. Results from this research are not yet available.
As to extending the number of training courses in Scotland, the CITB has decided to extend the use of its Glasgow training centre, which was planned to produce skills for oil platform construction, to enable the introduction of other skills when the need arises and the courses can be incorporated into the centre's programmes. The MSC's Training Services Agency hopes to continue expanding skillcentre training in Scotland in 1977–78, which will include some expansion in the number of training places for the building trades.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect the present economic downturn is having on construction industry training programmes in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that figures for the total numbers of construction industry apprentices recruited in Scotland for 1976 and preceding years are not available; however, the Construction Industry Training Board's Scottish recruitment target of 1,451 for its approved course of initial off-the-job training for 1975–76 has been achieved. The current indications are that the board's target of 1,491 for 1976–77 is also likely to be met. Funds made available by the Government to combat the effects of the recession have greatly helped in maintaining these levels of recruitment. The CITB comments that there does not appear to have been any significant change in the total number of apprentices recruited in Scotland for both off-and on-the-job training over the last eight years.