§ Ms. HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures the Government are taking to improve training and promotion prospects for women.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Government are committed to the improvement of training and promotion prospects for everyone in the labour market. It has welcomed the national education and training targets and the emphasis they place on acquiring skills.
The introduction of the training and enterprise councils (TECs) has meant a training environment which is flexible and geared towards the achievement of vocational qualifications for everyone. The work that has been clone on the accreditation of prior learning is particularly helpful to women who are less likely to have achieved vocational qualifications in their working lives.
178WLabour market returners, the majority of whom are women, have and will continue to have special access arrangements within adult training programmes run by TECs. The programmes also provide flexible training that allows women to reconcile their domestic commitments with their training.
The Government take every opportunity to encourage employers to make the best use of their resources. This includes supporting the employer-led Opportunity 2000 campaign. We promote the development of people in work through the investors in people initiative, which applies to all people. In addition this year, we have introduced a new national training award that recognises training and development of specific benefit to women.
In the new year, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, intends to launch a series of regional 'opportunity shops' to promote women's participation in the world of work and beyond.