HC Deb 27 January 1983 vol 35 cc500-1W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the intake of engineering apprentices in (a) Crewe, (b) Cheshire and (c) England in each year since 1978.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Figures for the total intake of engineering apprentices are not available. The numbers of first year off-the-job craft and technician trainees who were registered with, and following courses approved by, the engineering industry training board are:

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number and percentage of school leavers in the west midlands in 1982 who have now found permanent employment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I am afraid that this information is not available.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of school leavers in the west midlands who were found places in 1982 on youth opportunities schemes and other Manpower Services Commission projects; and what is the average length of time for which they participated in such schemes.

Mr. Peter Morrison

45,000 school-leavers entered youth opportunities programme schemes in the west midlands in 1981–82 and a further 40,000 have entered since April 1982. The average length of stay on a scheme is 23 weeks, but many young people participate in more than one scheme.

I am afraid that figures for the number of school leavers on other Manpower Services Commission schemes are not available for the West Midlands. The community programme, which is also run by the commission, is not open to youngsters under 18.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of school leavers in the west midlands in 1981 who found places on the youth opportunities scheme who have subsequently found permanent employment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I am afraid that this information is not available.

National surveys show however that about 40 per cent. of youngsters who started youth opportunities programme work experience courses in the first half of 1981 subsequently found permanent jobs and a further 10 per cent. went on to further education or training.