§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many participants in the new deal have received(a) training and (b) work experience in the armed forces, including taster days, in each year since 1998. [7986]
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§ Mr. IngramThe armed forces do not participate in the new deal scheme directly because of the longer term commitment that recruits are expected to undertake. Nevertheless, in the light of a partnership that my Department has with the Department for Education and Skills Employment Service (ES), there is close liaison between ES jobcentres and the armed forces careers offices. Recruiting staff visit ES jobcentres on a regular basis to promote armed forces careers, and also remind jobcentre staff of the various work experience schemes available in the area for young people up to age 24 years, regardless of their employment status.
The Services offer work experience, Personal Development Courses (PDCs), Look at Life (LAL) Courses, Army Preparation Courses (APCs), and visits to HM Ships and Establishments. The majority of those who attend are still at school or college.
A record of the total number of participants per year is not held centrally. Available details are as follows:
Naval Service
- (a) PDCs: Since April 1999, 89 courses have been provided for 595 students.
- (b) Work Experience Participants: Since 1998 some 800 work experience placements have been made available each year.
(c) HM Ship Visits Officer candidates Schoolchildren 1998–99 1,501 5,800 1999–2000 1,511 6,000 2000–01 1,990 6,100 Army
The figures are estimated as until recently details of numbers attending were not co-ordinated centrally:
LALs and PDCs: Number of participants per year= 1,500.
RAF
(a) Taster Days:
'Opportunity for All Days' Participants 1998–2000 1,300 2000–01 2,080