§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of TOPS training programmes in Scotland.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that626W the expansion in TOPS training over the past three years has made a significant and increasing contribution to the retraining of redundant workers, the training of young people and the needs of oil-related industries in Scotland.
The number of people trained under TOPS in Scotland has increased from 3,543 in 1972 to 7,890 in 1975, and expansion is continuing. Special training courses have been developed for young people, and expansion of training places will continue in 1976–77 according to needs.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were trained by TOPS training programmes in Scotland in 1975; how many were unemployed prior to training; and how many obtained jobs after training.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that 7,890 people received training under the Training Opportunities Scheme in Scotland in 1975. During this period 4,191 people were placed or found work in their training trade. Information about the number unemployed prior to training is not available in the form required. A sample survey taken during the four weeks ending 27th March 1975 showed that 1,345 training applications were accepted, including 845 from unemployed people.
TOPS objectives for 1976 have been increased from the original target of 68,000 to 80,000 completions. I would expect Scotland, along with the rest of Great Britain, to benefit from these special measures.