HC Deb 02 February 1995 vol 253 cc775-7W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list each training and tuition course with a total cost exceeding £5,000 paid for by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies during the last 12 months, showing the title and objectives of each course, the name of the organisations engaged, the total cost of each course, a summary of the responsibilities of staff members taking part and the process for course evaluation by the Department or agency.

Mr. Dorrell

The breakdown of expenditure over the last 12 months by the Department of National Heritage, including its two executive agencies, Royal Parks and Historic Royal Palaces is as set out. The breakdown covers individual courses or series of courses where the total costs exceeds £5,000.

(a) Training for the Department of National Heritage (1) Title: Introduction to WordPerfect 6 For Windows Objectives: To make staff aware of the functions available within WordPerfect 6 For Windows enabling competent use in their everyday work. Training Provider: Harley-West. Staff Responsibilities: Open to all grades upon receipt of the software upgrade of WordPerfect 6 on their Personal Computers. Cost: £5,170 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: By Information Services Branch of DNH and by the provider, Harley-West. (2) Title: Introduction to Excel 5 Objectives: To give the user a good understanding of spreadsheet design, commands etc, to help them become competent in the use of the software in their everyday work. Training Provider: Harley-West Staff Responsibilities: Those staff who have financial management responsibilities. Cost: £6,227.50 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: Information Services Branch of the DNH and by the provider, Harley-West. (3) Title: Promotion Board Interviewing Skills Course for Board Members Objectives: Awareness of procedures which underpin a Promotion board. To provide a full understanding of the importance of good interviewing techniques including assessing candidates fairly and accurately. Training Provider: Recruitment and Assessment Services Staff Responsibilities: Staff within the Department who have volunteered to sit on Promotion Boards. Cost: £6,050 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: By Personnel Division of the DNH and by Recruitment and Assessment Services. (4) Title: Performance Management Course Objectives: To familiarise and prepare staff for the introduction of the newly created Performance Appraisal System. Training Provider: KMPG Marketing Consultancy Staff Responsibilities: For all staff in the Department. Cost: £93,990.61 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: By Personnel Division within the DNH and by the provider, KMPG Marketing Consultancy

(b) Training for the Historic Royal Palaces Agency (HRPA) and Royal Parks Agency (RPA) HRPA: Tower of London (1) Title: Customer Care and Interpersonal Skills Objectives: To develop 'dealing with people skills' of the Warding staff in the Yeoman body, the Jewel House and sales staff in the Retail Department. Training Provider: MSB Training Staff Responsibilities: All front of house staff dealing with the public. Cost: £13,500 Post Course Evaluation: By Personnel Unit within the Agency and by the provider MSB Training HRPA: Hampton Court Palace (1) Title: Customer Care and Interpersonal Skills Objectives: To develop 'dealing with people skills' of the State Apartment Warding Team. Training Provider: MSB Training Staff Responsibilities: All front of house staff dealing with the public. Cost: £31,192 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: By Personnel unit within the Agency and by the provider MSB Training RPA: (1) Title: Objective Setting and Appraisal Workshops Objectives: Direct staff performance towards the Agency goals. Raise standards of performance and appraisal. Training Provider: RTCC Training Consultancy Company Ltd Staff Responsibilities: All staff excluding constables of the Royal parks Constabulary. Cost: £10,562 (for a series of courses) Post Course Evaluation: End of course review conducted jointly by the Personnel Unit and by the course provider.

Summary The total cost of the training and tuition outlined above was £138,692.11.