§ Mr. McLoughlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he proposes to make any changes in the YTS in 1989–90.
§ Mr. CopeThe Government want to ensure that more trainees are able to gain vocational qualifications on completion of YTS training to enable them to get jobs. We want YTS to set an example of training based on achievement of standards of performance. YTS will therefore increasingly encourage the achievement of nationally recognised vocational qualifications and managing agents with particularly successful records. Paperwork will be simpler.
The Government's guarantee of an offer of a suitable place to all young people under 18 who do not have a job remains unchanged.
From April 1989, a new five-tier system of premium grants for special training will come into effect. These grants, payable over and above the basic YTS grant, will provide a more sensitive and selective approach to the funding of special training for groups of young people with particular needs. Each of the five levels of payment will have a value of £500 per filled place per year, giving a maximum of £2,500.
254WThere are to be no other changes in YTS funding. or of the first and second year trainee allowances. These decisions reflect the Government's policy of ensuring suitable provision for young people with special training needs, while encouraging employers to contribute an increasingly larger share of the costs of YTS training.