HC Deb 27 March 1981 vol 1 cc449-50W
Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the careers services base of knowledge of young people is sufficient to devise courses of vocational training in the youth opportunities programme to meet their individual requirements.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1981, c. 295]: The careers service is operated by individual local education authorities. In placing young people into the youth opportunities programme, and when considering possible movement into second or subsequent opportunities within the programme, careers officers will usually be able to Draw upon a wide range of knowledge about the young person's career aspirations, qualifications and abilities. Contact with young people while they are still in full-time education, and close co-operation with the special programmes division of the Manpower Services Commission, places the careers service in a good position to match young people's needs to available opportunities.

Individual courses provided under the youth opportunities programme are not devised by the careers service, but are approved by the Manpower Services Commission's special programmes area board staff, who draw on the views of a wide range of interested parties and organisations.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the administrative arrangements within the youth opportunities programme are adequate to ensure that young people can progress from module to module of the programme accumulating learning and experience.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 25 March 1981 c. 295]: The degree to which young people can progress from one module to another within the youth opportunities programme is necessarily dependent on the existence of sufficient numbers of suitable opportunities. The administrative arrangements governing progress within the programme are agreed between the Manpower Services Commission and this Department with reference to the resources available, and the objectives of, the programme in particular years. Subject to these constraints, I am satisfied that the administrative arrangements are adequate.