§ 66. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made in developing a certification system for young people who complete a youth training scheme placement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAll youth training scheme trainees receive a certificate at the end of their placement. The certificate summarises the trainee achievements and experiences, describes the trainee's training programme, and lists any formal qualifications gained during the placement.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the proposed reduction in the youth training scheme programme for 1984–85 and the representations made by the Merseyside council for voluntary service, Margaret street youth and community association and Valley Line Ltd., details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall be writing to the hon. Member about the representations he has forwarded to me from the organisations in question.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received objecting to proposed reductions in the youth training scheme programme for 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI have received a number of representations about the operation of the youth training scheme in the coming year in particular about the number of mode B1 approved places. I remain satisfied that suitable training places will be available on the scheme to meet the needs of all eligible youngsters seeking places in the coming year.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are involved on youth training scheme projects on (a) Merseyside and (b) Liverpool at the latest date.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAt the end of January, there were 9,767 young people in training on the youth training scheme on Merseyside, of whom 3,807 were in Liverpool.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a breakdown of the reasons why young people have left the youth training scheme; and what steps are being taken to assess the degree of satisfaction amongst the trainees with the scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe progress of the youth training scheme, including the number of young people leaving training programmes, is monitored closely. Reports are provided nationally to the Youth Training Board and locally to area manpower boards. Information on the destinations of leavers is currently being collected. As an integral part of regular monitoring of the scheme discussions are held with trainees about their experience of their training programmes.
We intend to have an extensive postal follow-up of ex-trainees which will seek their views about the scheme.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many mode B schemes have had to (a) close, (b) merge and (c) cut 10 per cent., 20 per cent., 30 per cent. and 40 per cent. plus of their places as a result of the planned reduction in mode B places from 89,000 to 70,000.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonIt is too early to give a detailed picture of the effect of the planned reduction in mode B1 approved places for 1984–85. Changes to schemes will take place over a period of several months.