§ Mr. Michael Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons of each sex and age group have taken part in the various Government-sponsored training courses since they were available; and what percentages have subsequently put their newly acquired skill to practical use within six months.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, for the period from 1972, when the training opportunities scheme was introduced until December 1976, the information is not available in the form requested. Table 1, below, shows the total number trained for each year from 1972 to 1976 with separate sub-totals for people under 19 and women (including under 19s).
TABLE 1 TOPS COMPLETIONS BY AGE GROUP BY SEX 1972–1980 Year Under 19 19–24 25–30 31–40 41–50 51–60 over 61 and over Total men and women Number of women included 1972 … 1,000 — — — — — — 29,019 4,700 1973 … 1,000 — — — — — — 39,930 11,000 1974 … 1,000 — — — — — — 45,416 17,000 1975 … 2,000 — — — — — — 60,724 26,873 1976 … 15,104 — — — — — — 89,651 39,879 1977 … 16,912 22,506 19,777 19,509 11,319 4,109 100 94,232 40,881 1978 … 21,504 21,891 18,317 18,319 9,467 3,178 66 92,742 39,032 1979 … 26,000 25,490 18,809 18,976 9,156 2,800 41 101 272 46,018 1980: January-March … 5,859 5,982 3,979 4,214 1,964 584 6 22,583 10,628 Totals … 90,379 — — — — — — 575,569 236,011 662W
TABLE 2 TOPS TRAINEES WHO HAVE MADE USE OF THEIR LEARNING IN SOME FORM OF EMPLOYMENT SINCE THEY COMPLETED THEIR COURSE Note: Work preparatory and assessment courses have been excluded. All adult aged 19 and over. Time period covered All adults Male adults Female adults April-June 1977 … 56 58 54 July-September 1977 … 62 63 62 October-December 1977 … 57 61 49 January-March 1978 … 64 64 64 April-March 1977–78 Full Year … 60 62 58 April-June 1978 … 65 66 63 July-September 1978 … 73 75 70 October-December 1978 … 67 70 59 January-March 1979 … 72 72 73 April-March 1978–79 Full Year … 69 70 67 April-June 1979 … 67 68 67 July-September 1979 … 73 76 70 TOPS postal 1 in 6 follow up survey of TOPS trainees conducted three months after training has been completed. People under 19 are not eligible for TOPS support but are trained under the special training measures for young people introduced in 1975 to combat rising unemployment. For the period January 1977 to March 1980 a more detailed annual analysis by age group is provided. A separate age analysis for women is not available but the total trained each year is shown in the final column.
Figures for the number who have used their new skills in work within six months of completing training are not available. However, the Manpower Services Commission conducts a quarterly survey of adults aged 19 and over completing training to determine how many are in work three months after completing training and are currently using their skills or have used them. Table 2 shows for males and females separately the percentage who have completed occupational courses and have used their skill at some time.