YTS (Hansard, 31 October 1989)

§ 28. Mr. Squire
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether all persons aged 16 years who seek a YTS place are now offered one.

§ Mr. Nicholls
Under the Government's guarantee over 500,000 places are available to YTS eligible young people aged 16 and 17. Young people should consult the careers service to see which particular training place is suitable for them. If there are particular difficulties in individual cases careers officers have been asked to approach the Training Agency for assistance as necessary.

§ 51. Mr. Strang
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to reduce the accident rate among peope while participating in YTS.

§ Mr. Nicholls
I am introducing a more vigorous description of health and safety arrangements as part of the YTS contract, and also an improved approach to monitoring which reflects assessment of the degree of risk. I have also set up two exercises to assist with further policy development. An independent study of the YTS accident statistics has been set up which will be published in the spring of next year, and a review of general YTS health and safety arrangements by the Training Agency and HSE is now in progress.

§ 44. Mr. McAllion
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient YTS places exist throughout the United Kingdom for those aged 16 and 17 years seeking such a place.

§ Mr. Nicholls
Particular care is taken to ensure that there are enough YTS places to meet demand throughout the year. There are currently close to 400,000 young people in YTS. My Department has in total contracted with managing agents for over 500,000 places to be available.