§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment upon what evidence the Manpower Service Commission based its decision that social skills training is useful or feasible and that it should be applied to youth training scheme trainees.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe inclusion of personal and life skills in youth training scheme programmes was recommended by the youth task group as one means of contributing to the successful achievement of the aims of the scheme. The youth training scheme does not advocate training in social skills as has been practised in the past. It places considerable emphasis on personal effectiveness and communication skills which are developed by experience in the workplace.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the net cost of each filled and each unfilled place in each category and subcategory of the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe estimated cost to the Manpower Services Commission of a filled place for a full year on the youth training scheme in 1983–84 is as follows:
£ Mode A 1,950 Mode B1 Community Projects 3,500 Training Workshop 3,900 Information Technology Centres 4,200 Mode B1 overall 3,600 ModeB2 2,200 These figures exclude VAT, the cost of unfilled places, travel costs, lodging allowances and so on.
A payment of £100 is made to managing agents for each contracted mode A place, whether or not the place is filled. In addition, compensation may be paid to managing agents for the inescapable costs of vacated places.
The Manpower Services Commission pays for the cost of a mode B1 scheme (other than trainee allowances) according to the number of approved places on the scheme whether or not they are filled. The average annual cost of unfilled mode B1 places has been estimated as follows:
£ Community Projects 1,850 Training Workshops 2,200 Information Technology Centres 2,450 Weighted average 2,000 The cost of unfilled mode B2 places is restricted to certain fee payments to providers. About £50 per approved place is paid, irrespective of whether or not it is filled.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment how the social skills training undertaken by the Manpower Services Commission as part of the youth training scheme is being evaluated to assess its worth; and if he is satisfied that those conducting the evaluation are properly qualified to do so.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe extent to which youth training scheme programmes help trainees to develop personal effectiveness is assessed as an integral part of the monitoring of scheme performance. We are satisfied that600W Manpower Services Commission staff are able to make sound judgments about the overall effectiveness of youth training scheme programmes.
§ Mr. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Manpower Services Commission requires those who teach social skills training as part of the youth training scheme to be properly qualified.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThose providing guidance and assisting in the development of personal effectiveness and communication skills in the workplace will not necessarily be formally qualified but will be responsible adults with experience of working life.