§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the relative percentages of training and work experience for participants on the community programme.
§ Mr. LeeAgents and sponsors are responsible for designing their own programmes of work experience and training, and detailed information is not held centrally. However, the following information is provided from the latest (4th) community programme participants survey
66 per cent. of participants were receiving on-the-job training at the time of the survey.20 per cent. were receiving formal training at their place of work.12 per cent. were receiving training away from their place of work but during work hours.12 per cent. had received, or were receiving, training in their own time, of whom 60 per cent. were attending one day a week for an average 26 weeks.There is some overlap in the figures, with many of those receiving on-the-job training receiving one of the other types of training.
§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of participants on the community programme is women(a) nationally, (b) in the county of Durham and (c) in Durham, North-West constituency.
§ Mr. LeeIt is not possible to give the information in the precise form requested. During the 12 months ended 30 November 1987, the latest date for which statistics are available, the total number of entrants to the community programme was 272,697, of whom 70,356, or 25.8 per cent. were female. The corresponding figures for the county of Durham were 6,551, 1,670 and 25.5 per cent. Figures for the Durham, North-West constituency are not available.
§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give an estimate of how the change in the community programme from part time to full time is likely to affect the numbers of women applying for places.
§ Mr. LeeThe planned change in the community programme from part time to full time has been overtaken by the Government's decision that the community programme and a number of training programmes should be replaced by a new comprehensive training programme for unemployed adults. No detailed assumptions about the breakdown of those applying for places on the new programme have been made.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) why the Manpower Services Commission has declined to provide authorisation and funding for community programmes after 26 August; if he will provide guidance to the management of such schemes on the longer term arrangements they may make for recruitment and programmes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a further statement on the future of the community programme.
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§ Mr. CopeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 18 November that the community programme is to be replaced by a new adult training programme from September. I hope that most existing community programme managing agents will decide to take part in the new programme, which will offer, for the first time, a comprehensive package of assessment and training for long-term unemployed people. We are currently considering the Manpower Services Commission report on the new programme and my right hon. Friend expects to respond shortly to the chairman of the commission.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were employed in connection with community programmes sponsored and financed by the Manpower Services Commission at the most recent date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LeeOn 30 November 1987, the latest date for which statistics are available, there were 221,348 persons employed on community programmes.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the operation of the community programme in the Southend-on-Sea area.
§ Mr. LeeThe community programme is operating successfully in the Southend-on-Sea area, as it is elsewhere in the country.