Training (Hansard, 16 January 1990)

§ 39. Dr. Twinn
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of the adult work force currently receives some form of training; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Nicholls
It is estimated that in 1986–87, 48 per cent. of employees received some job-related training from their employer. More recent figures from the labour force survey show that in the spring of 1988, 12 per cent. of all economically-active adults were taking part in job-related training in the four weeks prior to the survey—an increase from 8 per cent. in 1984. It is vital for our international competitiveness that this upward trend continues. The primary responsibility lies with employers and with the new training and enterprise councils to take the lead in promoting training locally.

§ 40. Mr. David Shaw
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the appointment of the national training task force.

§ Mr. Nicholls
The national training task force was established to advise my right hon. and learned Friend in carrying out his training responsibilities throughout Great Britain and he very much values its contribution.
It is the best team ever put together on training and my right hon. and learned Friend is pleased that it has been further strengthened recently with the appointment of Andrew Collier, chief education officer for Lancashire county council.

§ 60. Mr. David Porter
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the Confederation of British Industry's vocational education and training task force; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Nicholls
A number of representations have been received concerning the CBI's vocational education and training task force and the publication of its report "Towards a Skills Revolution—a Youth Charter".
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The report makes a number of timely and important recommendations. New arrangements have been announced for youth training to take effect later this year (Official Report, 5 December 1989 column 196.) Youth training incorporates a number of the recommendations, including demanding targets for the achievement of qualifications by young people and a key role for training and enterprise councils.
The Government are giving close attention to other recommendations in the report.

§ 72. Mr. Jacques Arnold
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to implement to ensure that all young people in employment under the age of 18 years should receive some form of training; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Nicholls
It is primarily for employers to ensure that young people receive quality training in order to meet the challenges of technological change and the need to achieve greater international competitiveness at a time when the number of school leavers is falling sharply. The Government will continue to help employers to respond effectively to these challenges through the training and enterprise councils (TECs), the introduction of the new youth training arrangements and the compacts initiative. Our aim is to move to a position where every young person under 18 years of age in this country is in full-time education, or a job with training, or training leading to a job.