§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will give the number of disabled people who have applied for places on the new job training scheme; and if he will express this number as a percentage of the total number of applicants to the scheme;
(2) if he will give the number of disabled people who have been accepted for places on the new job training scheme; and if he will express this number as a percentage of the total number of people accepted on the scheme.
§ Mr. CopeInformation on the number of disabled people who have applied for places on the new job training scheme is not available. However, research carried out during the pilot stage of the scheme showed that 13 per cent. of trainees had a health or disability problem. A comprehensive follow-up survey of trainees is planned to take place later in the year.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline any measures, including any special funding arrangements, available to ensure that disabled people derive maximum benefit from the job training scheme.
§ Mr. CopeArrangements have been made to ensure equality of opportunity in the new job training scheme for people with disabilities. Managing agents have a contractual commitment to provide equal opportunities in their scheme regardless of sex, race or disability and will in due course have to satisfy the criterion on equal opportunities for approved training organisation status. The scheme design allows training programmes to be drawn up according to the particular needs and abilities of individuals, including people with disabilities.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how the criteria for a place on the job training scheme co-ordinate with criteria for other programmes, including the youth training scheme, community programme and new workers scheme, with regard to disabled people.
§ Mr. CopeThe new job training scheme is open to all those aged 18 or over who have been signing at an unemployment benefit office for at least the last six months. It is one of a number of MSC programmes which provide a wide range of opportunities for people with disabilities.
The eligibility criteria programmes vary and overlap depending on the objectives of the individual programmes. Specialist careers officers or the disablement resettlement officers, as appropriate, help disabled people to decide on the opportunities most suitable for them.
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§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the voluntary organisations of and for disabled people which were consulted prior to the introduction of the job training scheme.
§ Mr. CopeThe Manpower Services Commission consulted a wide range of organisations, including the voluntary sector and organisations dealing with disabled people, before the national extension of the new job training scheme in April 1987. The scheme has also been considered at length by the commission and its advisory bodies.