§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what percentage of school leavers during 1980 and so far in 1981 has been given places on the youth opportunities programme; what was the average period of time involved with the youth oppportunities programme; and if his Department has any information of the numbers who have left the youth opportunities programme and found ordinary employment;
(2) what percentage of school leavers during 1980 and so far in 1981 was placed in schemes of work experience; what was the average period of time involved in such schemes; and if his Department has any details of the number who afterwards found ordinary employment.
§ Mr. Alison:In 1980, one in three school leavers took part in the youth opportunities programme. Of these four out of five entered work experience schemes. In 1981 the proportion of school leavers entering the programme is expected to rise to one in two. Of these four out of five are again expected to go into the work experience schemes.
It is not possible to give the average length of stay on the programme for school leavers only, but for all young people who take part in the programme, the average length of stay is about 23 weeks. Currently some four out of 10 young people who leave the youth opportunities programme go into permanent employment.
The aim of YOP is to provide a good quality work experience and training to unemployed young people, and this year it is expected that 550,000 young people will enter the programme.