HC Deb 01 July 1997 vol 297 cc101-2W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources were made available to Wakefield Training and Enterprise Council in respect of the pit closure programme in Wakefield district; and what reports he has received on the use of those resources. [5051]

Dr. Howells

Over the last four years over £6 million has been made available to Wakefield Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) as part of the agreed "Coal Plan" to assist in areas affected by the closures of collieries. Of this over £4.5 million has been paid directly to the TEC, and the balance has been available to fund allowances to support unemployed adults attending additional Training for Work provision organised by the TEC. Other Government funding available to the TEC will also have benefited former mining areas. Wakefield TEC commissioned PRISM Research to undertake a full independent evaluation of its activities under Coal Plan Funding. The findings were published in a series of reports published in April and May 1997 and copies have been received by Government Office York and Humberside officials. Conclusions were generally positive.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he took to evaluate the record of Wakefield training and enterprise council, in working with relevant local bodies and the voluntary sector. [5052]

Dr. Howells

Wakefield TEC's record of working with local bodies has been formally evaluated within the context of the TEC Licensing process, and more generally within the TEC annual planning and contracting round. Wakefield TEC was awarded a Licence to run from three years from April 1995, and as part of this was found to be fully competent in its ability to work with local partners to develop and implement a shared agenda, which is a key element of the licensing process. The TEC annual re-contracting evaluation process covers all aspects of the TEC's capacity to work with partners. Wakefield TEC is a founder member of and plays a key role in the Wakefield Economic Alliance and also plays a key role in the Wakefield Partnership which includes representatives from the business, voluntary and education sectors.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the annual budget for Wakefield training and enterprise council in the last year for which figures are available, provided by public funds; what additional training, education and employment placements were created as a result of this funding; and if he will make a statement. [5113]

Dr. Howells

Wakefield TEC's annual budget for 1996–97 was £8,602,358. A total of 3,643 young people/adults secured training placements as part of Youth Programmes (YP) and Training for Work (TFW) in 1996–97. Information is not available about the total number of employment placements, although all young people within the YP will undertake work experience, and work placements also form an integral part of TFW. There were 302 Modern Apprenticeship starts during 1996–97, and a total of 1,069 NVQs were gained by Youth Trainees (60 NVQs per 100 leavers). One thousand and forty two adults leaving TEW secured employment, resulting in Wakefield TEC achieving an average of 50 jobs per 100 leavers.