§ 39. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for expanding the number of skillcentres.
642Wadditional training places under the training opportunities scheme. About 26,500 such training places are currently used by TOPS trainees, and an increase of 1,000 is expected by next year. About 60,000 people were trained under TOPS in 1975. It is expected that 80,000 will be trained in 1976 and 100,000 per year as soon as possible thereafter. 41,816 people were receiving training under TOPS on 30th November 1975.
§ 51. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many training places there were in 1973, 1974 and 1975; how many took advantage of the same; and what is his estimate of these numbers for 1976.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that during 1973, 1974 and 1975 the number of people who completed courses of training under the Training Opportunities Scheme was 39,930; 45,416; and 60,724 respectively.
Under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) training is available in colleges of further education and employers' establishments as well as in skillcentres. Places available in colleges of further education are elastic, as TOPS trainees can be considered for any suitable college course in addition to the exclusive TOPS courses which are arranged where there is sufficient demand. The numbers of operational training places and the numbers of completions at skillcentres only are as follows:
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Manpower Services Commission informs me that the Training Services Agency at present has 58 skillcentres and 28 annexes and a further 14 skillcentres and four annexes are planned to be operational by 1979.