§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour to what extent training centres are contributing to the solution of the problem of quantity and quality of the skilled labour force required in the North-East to meet the requirements of existing firms to expand and incoming firms to satisfy their skilled labour needs; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HattersleyOver the last two years nearly 2,000 people have been trained in skilled trades at the three Government training centres in the North-East. A new centre will be opened at Killingworth later this year. When it is fully operational and expansion of existing centres is completed the North-East centres will be able to turn out some 1,900 skilled workers a year.
§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of Labour what standard of education men and women are required to have obtained before they are received in a Government training centre; and what tests, oral and written, they have to pass.
§ Mr. HattersleyApplicants need to be able to read and take notes intelligently and in most trades to possess a knowledge of simple arithmetic. People wanting training in draughtsmanship, electrical contracting, instrument maintenance and radio, television and electronic servicing are required to pass a pre-entry written paper in mathematics. There are no oral tests, although most successful applicants for training have undergone a selection interview.