HC Deb 21 October 1982 vol 29 cc178-9W
Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) current training schemes for women and (b) any proposed new training schemes for women.

Mr. Peter Morrison:

The majority of the Manpower Services Commission's training schemes are open to men and women, but the commission runs a modest programme of training and development courses for women only, through industrial training boards, educational institutions, management centres, and other training bodies, as well as through its own facilities.

At present, the commission is funding or part funding the following training for women through training organisations:

1 The Clothing and Allied Products Industry Training Board

  1. (a) A series of development grants to employers in the Clothing industry to take on women as Management trainees.
  2. (b) Grants for women to train as Clothing Machinery mechanics.
  3. (c) Scholarships for women to take their BSc course in clothing design at Bradford and Brunel Universities.

2 The Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board

Sponsorship grants for women graduates to train for management in the Hotel and Catering industry.

3. Bristol Polytechnic

A series of training workshops and courses to help women managers prepare for more senior positions.

4. Open University

Bursaries for qualified women engineers and technicians who wish to resume their careers after a family break, to take refresher and updating courses in technology, and science subjects.

5. University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

Development of a course for women with management potential.

6. Ann Shaw Organisation

A series of development courses for women managers with potential to advance further in management.

The Commission is currently running the following courses for women through its regional structure.

1. Wider Opportunities for Women Courses

For women who have decided to return to work after a considerable break, but who do not know what work they can do or how to adjust to the working environment. This programme has been running for several years, and courses are available in a number of centres.

2. Higher Level Wider Opportunities for Women Courses

These courses share the same broad aims as for standard Wider Opportunities for Women Courses but are aimed at women returning to work at supervisory or management level.

3. New Technology Wider Opportunities for Women Courses

Aimed at women wishing to return to work in new technology related occupations at scientific or technical level.

4. Women in Management Courses

  1. (a) A course for a wide range of women including graduates, returners, secretaries and supervisors, who wish to develop a career in engineering management. This course is run in conjunction with the West Midlands Engineering Employers Association.
  2. (b) Courses for unemployed women who wish to pursue careers in general management.

5. Introductory Skillcentre Courses for Women

For women who wish to train for craft skills; the course is designed to assess the potential of trainees in a wide range of skills, and enable them to go on to a standard skillcentre training course, and subsequent employment in their chosen trade.

The Commission proposes to finance the following training schemes for women in the near future:

1. Printing and Publishing Industry

A series of workshops and training courses designed to improve the employment and career prospects of women in the industry.

2. Sheffield Polytechnic

A series of development courses for women managers in a variety of industries and occupations.