§ 61. Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the current range of training programmes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am satisfied with the current range of training programmes which are the responsibility of the Manpower Services Commission, namely the training opportunities scheme (TOPS) and the direct training services. TOPS was comprehensively reviewed by MSC in 1978, and Ministers support the general recommendations of that review—now being implemented by MSC—to relate provision more closely to the needs of employers, plan in closer consultation with other training providers, and improve the cost-effectiveness of the training supported under TOPS.
The MSC also operates the training for skills programme which is designed to improve the amount and quality of training in industry and to prevent persistent skill shortages in key skills from building up. Industrial training boards and other training organisations are expected to accept wider responsibilities for assessing 119W the training needs of their industries and for putting forward proposals for meeting them in the most efficient way.