HC Deb 03 March 1987 vol 111 cc559-60W
16. Mr. Kenneth Carlile

asked the Paymaster General how many people have received training under the job training scheme; and what proportion of these have since found jobs.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

1,992 people had joined the new job training scheme up to 23 February. The Manpower Services Commission will be carrying out regular follow-up surveys of leavers to determine what proportion of leavers find jobs.

17. Dr. Godman

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the job substitution effects of the job training scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In additional to vocational training. The job training scheme will involve short periods of practical experience often with more than one employer and interspersed with periods of directed training. Substitution is therefore likely to be small.

31. Mr. Duffy

asked the Paymaster General how many places have been filled on the job training scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The number of people taking part in the new job training scheme at 23 February was 1,569.

35. Ms. Clare Short

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the expansion of the job training scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made to the House on 28 January at column 337.

45. Mr. Sheerman

asked the Paymaster General what impact he expects the job training scheme to have on the unemployment figures in each month to December 1987.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) earlier today.

58. Mr. Wareing

asked the Paymaster General how many people are presently receiving training under the new job training scheme within the pilot areas; and what percentage of them are disabled.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

At 23 February the number of people on the new job training scheme was 1,569.

Up-to-date information on the percentage of those who are disabled is not available. However, a survey of a sample of trainees in early January showed that some 13 per cent. had a health problem or disability which affected the type of work that they could do.

84. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Paymaster General what assessments have been made of the outcome of the pilot job training schemes.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The experiences and attitudes of new JTS participants in the pilot areas will be assessed in a survey carried out by an external research organisation.

76. Mr. Wallace

asked the Paymaster General how many hours of training and work experience are anticipated on the job training scheme; and what is the minimum number of hours for each.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Training programmes will be designed for each individual according to his or her personal needs and the needs of the labour market. They may last from three to 12 months. They consist of integrated directed training and practical experience. In an average six-month programme there will be a minimum of 300 hours of directed training. The remainder of the time will be spent on linked practical experience.

71. Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Paymaster General what indications he has so far received from the pilot areas concerning the progress of the job training scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

All the early indications show that in terms of the take-up, the range of training and practical experience on offer and the attractiveness of the scheme to unemployed people, the new job training scheme will be a success.

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