§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he proposes to increase the number of girls entering the engineering profession.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Engineering Industry Training Board, with support from the Training Services Agency, is this year introducing a pilot scheme to demonstrate the possibilities of training girls as engineering technicians. The scheme is to offer 50 scholarships per year to girl school leavers for a two-year technician sandwich course. Technicians are the biggest growth occupation in the engineering industry, and it is hoped that the scheme will lead to improved careers opportunities for young women in this area. The Training Services Agency will be considering ways of encouraging more girls to enter engineering craft apprenticeships.