§ Mr. Ifor Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make proposals for the improvement of industrial training in the area of the Gower constituency.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have been asked to reply.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) there are two skillcentres, at Llanelli and Port Talbot, within daily travelling distance of the Gower area. These provide nearly 500 training places. In addition, training is available under TOPS in educational establishments and employers' establishments, offering training in a much wider variety of occupations. The Training Services Agency is constantly seeking to expand training facilities by arranging new courses.
The Manpower Services Commission announced on 2nd July 1975 the first part of a package of special measures which included the provision of 7,000 extra off-the-job training places for young people to train for craft and technician occupations through training award schemes operated by the industrial training boards and the availability of special grants to encourage employers in the construction industry to increase the recruitment of apprentices.
11WIt also announced on 22nd July that the Government have made a further £8.5 million available to increase the opportunities for young people to train for skilled employment, and measures are now being discussed with the training boards. These are expected to create a further 6,000 training opportunities for young persons. A proportion of these awards and special grants will be available in the Gower peninsula.