§ 24. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in the development of pilot schemes for unified vocational preparation; what appraisal has been carried out on their value in their first year; what is the relationship between these schemes and the courses proposed on the Manpower Services Com mission's youth opportunities programme; and what further proposals she has in the area of unified vocational preparation.
§ Mr. Oakes45 schemes have started since September 1977 or are due to start shortly. The National Foundation for Educational Research started last August upon an independent evaluation of the programme, the results of which will be available in 1979. Meanwhile, the scope for further developing the principles of unified vocational preparation is under active consideration with our partners in the programme.
In contrast to the Manpower Services Commission's programme for the young unemployed, the pilot schemes are intended primarily for employed young people. The curriculum lessons though should be helpful to the development of learning opportunities for the young unemployed also.