§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are awaiting admission to Government training centres in the North-West Region; what is the maximum waiting period for admission; if he is satisfied with the allocation of GTCs compared with other assisted regions; and what action he proposes to improve the position in view of the contraction of older industries in the region and the need to retrain workers for newer industries.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThere are 1,378 people in North-Western Region who have been accepted for a course at a Government training centre and are waiting for a place. Applications from a further 2,181 people are under consideration. Waiting periods, which are estimates of the maximum length of time likely to elapse before a place becomes available based on the current number of places, vary by trade and by area and are subject to frequent revision as new classes are opened. The longest current waiting period is estimated to be up to two years for places on the block course in radio, television and electronics servicing, but places may become available unexpectedly at short notice. Every effort is being made to reduce waiting periods by providing new places in the trades in greatest demand. In January the total number of places was 1,384 and 270 new places are expected to open in the region in the next three months, including an additional class in radio, television and electronics servicing.
Most major industrial areas of North-Western Region are already relatively well served by Government training centres. Two new centres, at Trafford Park and in the Oldham/Rochdale/Heywood area are planned by 1975 when a further 670 places will be provided. The region will also benefit from the general expansion of training under the training opportunities scheme, and 2,074 trainees are now on courses in colleges of further education and employers' establishments compared with 930 a year ago and only 120 in June 1970. The number and range of courses available, 177W which reflect changes in employment opportunities, will continue to expand.