§ 19. Mr. McTaggartasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the relationship between Open Tech and PICKUP.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonBoth the Open Tech programme and the PICKUP initiative aim to improve the
122Wresponsiveness of vocational education and training provision for adults, but they do so in different ways and using different kinds of activity. I am satisfied that they complement one another and I am in contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to ensure that this remains the case.
§ 27. Mrs. Clwydasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the progress of the Open Tech.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonA total of 77 projects are currently being funded under the Open Tech programme providing open learning opportunities at technician and supervisory levels. During 1984–85 some 25,000 people are expected to benefit from the programme and in 1985–86 twice that number. The progress of the Open Tech programme has been most encouraging and is a fine example of what the Government are doing to promote training opportunities in this important field.
§ 48. Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the planned expenditure on the Open Tech programme in each of the next four financial years; and whether he is satisfied that this represents good value for money in terms of the Government's whole training strategy.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonExpenditure on the Open Tech programme is expected to be £13.6 million in 1984–85, at a similar level in 1985–86 and at a reduced level in 1986–87. The programme was established in 1983, initially for a four-year development period, and decisions about support for open learning beyond March 1987 will be taken in the light of evaluation of the programme's achievements.
At least 50,000 people will be benefiting by 1986 from opportunities provided under the programme. I believe that this represents a most cost-effective contribution to our overall training strategy.