Training

HC Deb 03 May 1976 vol 910 cc265-6W

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many engineering trainees have completed courses at Government training centres in the Cleveland county area in 1974, 1975 and the first three months of 1976; and how many of these trainees have subsequently obtained employment.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is as follows:

1	2	3
Year	Number of people who have completed courses in engineering trades at Skillcentres (formerly Government Training Centres) in the Cleveland county area	Number of trainees who are known to have subsequently found employment in their training trade
1974	125	94
1975	111	69
The first three months of 1976	44	17

Placing action, concerning trainees unplaced on completion of their course, continues at local employment offices. The figures in column 3 do not necessarily relate to the figures in column 2.

The numbers shown in column 3 are those who are known to have obtained employment in their training trade. There is no obligation on ex-trainees to use the Employment Service either for intitial placing, or for later job changes. There may, therefore, be other trainees placed in their training trade, of whom we are unaware.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of industrial training places was taken up by people already in full employment; what check was carried out on the existing skills of applicants; and what consultations took place with pretraining employers.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that during January 1976 the percentage of applicants for TOPS courses in Great Britain was 65 per cent. from the unemployed as against 27 per cent. for the employed, and 8 per cent. from the non-employed. TOPS training is available to employed and unemployed people, without distinction, irrespective of whether they have a usable skill. No checks are made on existing skills of applicants and no consultations take place with the employers of applicants in employment.