HC Deb 27 May 2004 vol 421 cc1801-2W
Mr. Simon

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his budget is for staff training in information and communication technology in this financial year. [173716]

Maria Eagle

The Department for Work and Pensions and its agencies do not have a specific budget for training staff in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) during the current financial year. Resource is allocated to Learning and Development in general and includes an element in respect of ICT learning.

However, Jobcentre Plus, DWP's largest agency, has committed a budget of £400,000 for non-specialist staff to learn basic IT applications such as Word and Excel. All other ICT learning in the Department will be funded from the general Learning and Development budget.

Mr. Simon

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within(a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT. [173717]

Maria Eagle

DWP and its agencies do not have specific targets for improving the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills base of staff, but we are committed to ensuring staff have the skills and competence to do their jobs. Learning needs are identified on an individual basis through discussion between jobholders and their line managers. This process will increasingly be assisted by the development of a series of capability matrices which will enable individuals to define their learning needs and to identify the learning solutions by which they can meet them.

The standard Kirkpatrick model is used to evaluate learning and development in the Department, including an assessment of whether individuals have met the learning objectives of the course.

Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs) in Information Technology are available to staff but these are not mandatory. In the business year 2003–04, 200 staff completed full awards in IT S/NVQ's. Of these, 16 were at level 1, 156 at level 2 and 28 were at level 3. Staff undertaking S/NVQ's are required to produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate the required level of competence.