HC Deb 02 December 1980 vol 995 cc67-9W
Mr Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report

a table to show the average waiting time for vacancies on each course offered by skillcentres in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that waiting periods for admission to the skillcentre courses on offer at Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield are as listed in the table below, which shows the average period for each course as at 1 November 1980. The periods shown are approximate, and are subject to fluctuation.

Trade Course Approximate waiting period for admission
Bradford skillcentre Leeds skillcentre Wakefield skillcentre
Electrical/electronic courses
Electrical installation and maintenance No course Over 12 months* No course
Industrial electronics 9–12 months No course No course
Instrument maintenance No course Over 12 months* No course
Radio & TV electronic services 4–6 months 3–6 months 3–5 months
Plant & automotive courses
Contractors plant repair & maintenance No course 3–5 months Over 12 months*
Heavy vehicle repair & maintenance 4–6 months No course Over 12 months*
Motor vehicle body repair 4–6 months No course 3–5 months
Motor vehicle repair & maintenance 6–8 months 4–6 months Over 12 months*
Motor vehicle spray painting 9–12 months No course Over 12 months*
Miscellaneous courses
Hairdressing (men's) No course 6–8 months No course
Storekeeping 9–12 months 6–8 months 9–12 months
Wider opportunities course Over 12 months* Over 12 months* No course
Wider opportunities (with English as a second language) 6–8 months 3–5 months No course

Trade Course Approximate waiting period for admission
Bradford skillcentre Leeds skillcentre Wakefield skillcentre
Short industrial courses
Miscellaneous engineering 4–6 months 5–7 months 3–5 months
Construction courses
Bricklaying Over 12 months* 6–8 months Over 12 months*
Carpentry & joinery Over 12 months* Over 12 months* Over 12 months*
Heating and ventilating fitting No course No course 6–8 months
Plumbing No course 6–8 months 3–5 months
Woodcutting machining No course 3–6 months No course
General construction 4–7 months No course 3–5 months
Engineering courses
Capstan setting operating No course 4–7 months 3–5 months
Centre lathe turning No course 3–5 months No course
Milling setting operating No course 3–5 months 3–5 months
Precision grinding No course 2–3 months No course
Sheet metal work No course No course 3–5 months
Plate & structural steelwork No course No course 3–5 months
Welding electric arc (plate) 6–8 months 6–9 months 4–5 months
Draughtsmanship No course 2–3 months 3–5 months
Fitting general No course 3–6 months No course
Fitting machine tool maintenance 2–3 months No course No course
Sewing machine mechanics No course 2–4 months No course
Typewriter repair and maintenance 6–8 months 6–8 months No course
Watch and clock repair No course 6–8 months No course
*Recruitment for this course has been suspended.