§ 26. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what he anticipates the skill requirement in engineering to be in the years 1978, 1979 and 1980; and what arrangements he is now making to ensure an adequate intake of retrained adults and apprentices into the industry.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it is not possible to make precise forecasts of skill requirements in engineering in 1978, 1979 and 1980. The special initiatives taken by the Engineering Industry Training Board and the Training Services Agency in 1975, and the measures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12th February, which are currently being discussed with the Engineering ITB, are designed to provide substantial numbers of additional trained workers for the industry. It is considered that the skill levels in the industry in 1978, 1979 and 1980 will be adequate to meet demands likely to arise as the economy improves.