§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are on offer on the youth training scheme in Dundee and Tayside; and how many such places have been taken up.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe following tables show, at 30 September 1983, the number of youth training scheme places approved in Dundee and Tayside, the number filled and the profile of entrants that had been estimated for that date. A large proportion of the approved places is reserved for Christmas and later school leavers.
Dundee Number Places approved 1,738 Places filled 628 Estimated profile 745
Tayside Number Places approved 3,088 Places filled 896 Estimated profile 1,395
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he takes to ensure that the youth training scheme is not used as cheap labour or substitute labour.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe youth training scheme offers high quality training and work experience. Certain criteria designed to emphasise the quality aspect must be met and the scheme provides for a minimum of 13 weeks' off the job training. Individual programmes will be monitored by the Manpower Services Commission accordingly. The Government are confident that the requirements of the scheme, together with regular monitoring, will ensure that it is not abused.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures the Government are undertaking to secure future employment for those on completion of the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe majority of places available under the youth training scheme are employer-based—mode A—and cover both employed and unemployed young people. I am hopeful that many, including some who were not employees at the start of the year's training, will be retained at the end of their training period. For the young people not retained or those taking part in a programme based at, for instance, a training workshop or further education college—mode B —their chances of finding emloyment will be enhanced by the high quuality programme of training and work expeerience provided under YTS. The best means of securing lasting jobs for young people is to continue the Government's policy of building a sound and competitive economy.