§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the programme the Manpower Services Commission is undertaking to encourage manpower training for the application and introduction of microprocessors in industry.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that work is in progress to increase the supply of trained manpower.
The Commission will shortly announce arrangements to step up training of computer programmers and systems puter programmers and systems analysis. Skillcentre courses with an electronic content provided under the training opportunities scheme are being revised to cover microelectronics, and additional courses are being started. Industrial traing boards are analysing training needs and helping to spread awareness of the possibilities and challenge of the development of microelectronics. The Commission is working in close partnership with the Department of Industry and the Department of Education and Science.