§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce any new health and safety precautions for youth training schemes.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission already works closely with the Health and Safety Executive in the preparation of practical guidance for sponsors and young people to ensure that safe working practices are observed on all training and work experience programmes.
§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what proportion of youth training scheme trainees are expected to have O-level and CSE qualifications; and whether the youth training scheme programmes for these trainees will be designed so as to enable them to participate in craft supervisory or management training;
(2) what academic levels the further education elements of the youth training scheme will be aimed at; whether the trainees will be able to choose courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications; and how class sizes for the further education element will compare with normal classes;
(3) whether the youth training scheme on-job training will be to nationally recognised standards; and what powers managing agents will have to monitor and ensure that standards are maintained.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe scheme is designed for school leavers across the whole range of abilities. As the scheme is voluntary, and we do not know how many eligible young people will take up places, it is not possible to say what proportion of trainees will have any particular qualification. Schemes will however be available across a wide range of occupational areas including craft, supervisory and management training and young people will be offered places on schemes that take account of their needs. In many cases schemes will offer a recognised foundation for progress to further skill training.
222WAll trainees will receive a certificate at the end of their courses recording the training undertaken and achievements, including nationally recognised standards where appropriate. Managing agents will have a significant role in monitoring the quality of schemes, and the precise nature of this is currently being considered.
It is difficult to compare 'normal' class sizes with those of the further education element of the youth training scheme since the latter will vary in size, depending on whether classes are workshop based or in the classroom. Local education authorities will continue to be responsible for determining the size of class in further education establishments.
§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the funding of the pilot training scheme programmes; how much funding was provided per trainee; and how this compares to the funding per trainee envisaged in the mainstream youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonYes. Sponsors of pilot youth training scheme programmes are paid £1,950 per trainee place, which is the same as managing agents will get under the youth training scheme proper. Some pilot schemes have received additional help to support work on developing scheme content and assessment methods which will have wider application.