§ 104. Mr. Livseyasked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on progress in developing adult training strategies.
§ Mr. TrippierUnder the adult training strategy, which we announced in January 1984, a wide range of measures have been introduced to improve the operation of the 149W training market. In the key area of developing greater co-ordination and responsiveness at local level over 200 local collaborative projects have been launched, involving some 1,800 employers and training providers working in partnership.
Direct funding of adult training through the Manpower Services Commission has been concentrated on two new programmes—the job training programme, providing skills which are in known demand, and the wider opportunities training programme, helping unemployed people to sharpen their skills. Particular emphasis will now be given to the needs of small firms, to promoting enterprise and to exploiting the advantages of open learning.
The adult training campaign, which raises awareness about the benefits of training and the means for taking action on training, will be concentrating on small firms and their support agencies between April and September 1986.