HC Deb 18 May 1976 vol 911 cc484-7W
26. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider setting annual targets for the expansion of the Government's training and retraining programme.

Mr. Golding

The Manpower Services Commission informs me that the Training Services Agency sets annual objectives for the number of people to be trained under the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS).

The 1975 objective of training 60,000 people under TOPS was achieved. Good progress is being made towards the 1976 objective of 80,000: in the first quarter of this year 18,700 people completed training.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the Government training centres in Scotland, showing which are under-utilised and which have large waiting lists.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the average level of occupancy of all skill-centres in Scotland is over 90 per cent. which represents a satisfactory use of training capacity. Waiting lists at Hillington and Edinburgh skillcentres are lengthy in relation to the capacity of those centres.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many places are now available at GTCs in Scotland; and how this compares with the position five years ago.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there were 1,574 training places at skillcentres —formerly Government training centres—in Scotland on 31st March 1976, compared with 1,290 on 8th March 1971.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the range of courses offered at GTCs in Scotland; how many places are available for each; how the position compares with five years ago; and what increases in places he proposes for the next three years.

Mr. Golding

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

Training Course Places available at 31st March 1976 Places available at 8th March 1971
Construction
Bricklaying 124 80
Carpentry and joinery 168 192
Plumbing 14 16
Engineering Production
Automatic lathe setting 8 8
Boring setting-machining 4 8
Capstan setting-operating 148 160
Centre lathe turning 81 80
Milling setting-operating 98 120
Precision grinding 49 60
Welding electirc arc (pipe) 29 Nil
Welding electric arc (plate) 89 48
Engineering Servicing
Draughtsman/woman (mechanical engineering) 14 16
Fitting—jig and tool 12 12
Instrument fitting and machining 23 24
Electrical—Electronic
Electrical installation and maintenance 12 Nil
Electronic wiring and circuit testing 22 36
Instrument maintenance 30 60
Radio, TV and electronics servicing 93 96
Industrial electronics 67 Nil
Plant and Automotive
Agricultural machinery repair and maintenance 24 48
Contractors plant repair and maintenance 36 12
Heavy vehicle repair and maintenance 60 12
Motor vehicle body repair 24 Nil
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance 192 120
Motor vehicle spray painting 24 Nil
General Servicing
Typewriter repair and maintenance 12 12
Watch and clock repair 24 24

Training Course Places available at 31st March 1976 Places available at 8th March 1971
Miscellaneous
Commercial cookery Nil 3
Hairdressing (mens) 24 36
Store keeping 3 7
Short Industrial Courses
Wider oppprtunities 20 Nil
Vocational assessment 46 Nil
GRAND TOTAL 1,574 1,290
The Training Services Agency has reviewed the provision of Skillcentre facilities in Scotland and has decided that no increase in facilities is required during the next three years.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to ensure that young people, denied an opportunity of learning a skilled trade by present circumstances, will have fresh opportunities to attain job skills at a future date.

Mr. Golding

Despite current high levels of unemployment, the Government, through their special measures programme of support for industry, have helped to maintain a high level of intake of young people into long-term training. Some £31 million was made available to the Manpower Services Commission for this purpose in 1975–76, which has so far resulted in the creation of or support for, some 23,500 training opportunities in industry for young people. A further £55 million has been made available for 1976–77, to support up to 30,000 to 35,000 training places.

For people who, for some reason or another, are not able to obtain longterm training early in working life, the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS) provides a means of acquiring a skill. Eligibility is normally restricted to people, aged 19 or over, who have spent three years away from full-time education. Subject to these qualifications, the Training Opportunities Scheme is available to self-employed, employed or unemployed people.

Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Emloyment what proportion of those who have successfully completed Government sponsored training or retraining courses have subsequently secured employment, according to the latest available figures.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, during 1975, 60,724 people completed training courses under the Training Opportunities Scheme. During the same period 34,358 ex-trainees were placed or found work in their training trade. The number of people placed during 1975 does not necessarily relate to the people trained during that year.

There is no obligation on ex-trainees to use the Employment Service on completion of their training. There may, therefore, be other ex-trainees, working in their training trade, of whom we are unaware.