§ 46. Mr. Bryan Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the level of training opportunities for school leavers.
§ Mr. Golding:No. The Government and the Manpower Services Commission are currently taking a number of initiatives to improve the number and quality of training opportunities available to school leavers. In the 1978–79 training year, for example, the Manpower Services Commission is making available £ 41 million in grants to industry to maintain the level of recruitment to long-term training occupations such as apprenticeships. The commission is also currently developing the youth opportunities programme to provide training and work experience for unemployed 16 to 18 year olds, and the Government have asked the commission to do its best to ensure that no Easter or summer school leaver still unemployed the following Easter should be without the offer of a suitable opportunity under the programme. In addition, the vocational preparation needs of all young people in employment in the 16 to 18 age group are currently being studied by officials of Government Departments and the Manpower Services Commission.