Training (Young People)

HC Deb 25 June 1976 vol 913 cc485-6W

18. Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to increase the training facilities available to young people.

Mr. Golding

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that Exchequer support for some 35,000 new and existing training places in industry is being provided in 1976–77 through industrial training boards, and that this should result in at least 26,000 additional training places becoming available for youn entrants to nidustry. I am further advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the Training Services Agency aims to assist up to 7,000 unemployed school leavers and other young people during 1976 by the provision of courses designed to assist them in securing suitable employment. The MSC and Government jointly will shortly be publishing a consultative document putting forward, without commitment, a possible scheme of collective funding for initial training in transferable skills in selected occupations.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action his Department is taking to ensure that local employers are made aware of temporary job activity for young people so that they can both influence this activity and take advantage of the training provided within it.

Mr. Golding

The Manpower Services Commission has rencently organised a series of presentations in major centres throughout Great Britain to which local employers were invited. In addition, area action committees which include representatives of local employers, and district manpower committees, which also include employers' representatives, are informed about the programme.

Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total amount of money now being spent by the Train-mg Services Agency in providing training for young people in job creation projects.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Training Services Agency provides training for people employed on job creation programme projects in the following forms: by training supervisors, by giving technical advice on training, by providing mobile instructors for on-site training and if appropriate by paying the costs of short training courses of up to four weeks' duration before a project starts. These services are organised at a local level and the costs involved are not separately identified.