HC Deb 09 March 1984 vol 55 cc733-4W
Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the content and aims of youth training schemes courses.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The youth training scheme aims to provide all young people participating in the scheme with a better start in working and adult life through an integrated programme of training, planned work experience and further education; to provide for the employer participating in the scheme a better equipped young work force which has gained some competence and practical experience in a broad range of jobs and skills; and to develop and maintain a more versatile, readily adaptable, highly motivated and productive work force which will assist Britain to compete successfully in the 1980s and beyond.

The Government's plans for the scheme's second year are set out in the White Paper "Training for Jobs" — Cmnd. 9135.

Mr. Welsh

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect the reduction of mode B1 training places to take place in 1984–85 will have on the Doncaster metropolitan district council area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I have no doubt that the planned provision of all youth training scheme places in the Doncaster area in 1984–85 will be sufficient to meet the needs of its young people.

Mr. Baldry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has yet reached a decision on the new level of the block grant for mode A managing agents under the youth training scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The block grant paid by the Manpower Services Commission to managing agents of mode A schemes — that is, those sponsored by employers and centred on factories, offices or other places of work—is currently £1,950 a year for each trainee taken on, which has applied since the youth training scheme came into operation in April 1983. The Manpower Services Commission has recommended that the block grant should be increased by 5 per cent. to £2,050 from 1 September this year, and I have today written to the chairman of the commission accepting the recommendation. Provision has already been made in the forward estimates for the scheme for an increase of this order.

The block grant has three elements: the managing agent's fee, the trainee allowance and the contribution to employers' training costs. The commission will this summer be considering the distribution of the new block grant between the constituent elements and the Government will reach decisions on these after taking account of the recommendations submitted by the commission.