Training (Hansard, 27 April 1993)

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to ensure an increased number of training places in colleges; and if he will make a statement.

§ Sir Wyn Roberts
The Department has provided for a 28 per cent. increase in further education student numbers in Wales over the next three years. Funding for the Further Education Funding Council for Wales is intended to support an increase of 9.7 per cent. in student numbers to 48,000 full-time equivalents in 1993–94.
The funding council has set aside £4 million to encourage growth in FE institutions to the given target. The new demand-led element provides funding of £250 per term for each full-time student enrolled at an institution and will enable institutions to gain additional funding for eligible students recruited above target.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to ensure an increase in apprenticeship training for school leavers; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Sir Wyn Roberts
The Government have always supported employers in their training of young people and believe that modern, flexible apprenticeship schemes have a vital role in securing and promoting vocational training. A number of TECs in Wales are now introducing training credit schemes which cover, inter alia, employer based training opportunities.
The Government's guarantee of a training place to school leavers ensures that the full range of training opportunities is availble to all young people.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning training opportunities for the disabled in Wales.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The training and enterprise councils have a contractual obligation to provide suitable high quality training for people with disabilities.
From 1 April, people with disabilities have been given priority access to a range of training opportunities under the training for work initiative.
Provided they are eligible, people with disabilities will also have priority access to a place on learning for work.
The Employment Service's disability employment advisors also provide a comprehensive range of services to people with disabilities through the local network of jobcentres.