HC Deb 04 November 1975 vol 899 cc140-1W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken for retraining of men leaving the Services; and if any improvements in these arrangements are contemplated.

Mr. William Rodgers

Resettlement training available to members of the forces before their discharge includes long-term courses of directed private study for qualifications recognised in civilian life and training courses of up to 42 days which are designed as an introduction to a second career or to convert military skills to civilian practice. There will be some increase in the number of these courses to take account of the additional outflow of men in the next year or two under the forces' redundancy programme. Members of the forces are also eligible after—or, in some cases, immediately before—the date of their discharge to undertake training courses of up to one year under the Training Services Agency's Training Opportunities Scheme; the range of these courses is constantly being extended.