§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that all unemployed young people attending training courses get the same level of allowances with full reimbursement of expenses.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkAll young persons attending training courses arranged by my Department receive a standard rate of allowance which varies according to their age, marital status and number of persons dependent upon them. They receive free midday meals, and fares if they live more than two miles from the training centre.
§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received with regard to the length and content of the 12-week skills appreciation courses under the vocational training scheme; and what reply he has made.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe Under-Secretary of State received a deputation from the Teesside education authority on 12th January in order to discuss the employment problems of young people in the Teesside area. One of the questions raised concerned the length and content of the skills appreciation courses provided by my Department. My hon. Friend undertook to write to the deputation when its suggestions had been fully considered.
§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people completing skills appreciation courses have subsequently found work; and what estimate he has of the percentage attending these courses who have shown sufficient mechanical aptitude and academic ability to benefit from apprenticeships.
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§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkDuring the year ended 11th December 1972, 34 per cent. of young persons completing training opportunities scheme courses in limited skills for those who have no reasonable prospect of obtaining employment within the foreseeable future without such training were placed in employment within one or two months of leaving and a further 10 per cent. were recommended for skilled training. Figures on those who subsequently found work are not readily available.
§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he intends to revise the training opportunities scheme proposals to provide proper training for young people during the first three years after leaving school.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThe initial training of young people is normally the responsibility of employers; the training opportunities scheme is intended to provide training for adults who require it. In areas where young people have no reasonable expectation of employment, my Department offers broad-based courses of limited skill in Government training centres, employers' establishmerhs and colleges of further education. Over 1,400 young people have so far been trained in this way.