§ 62. Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy on the training of the young; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonWe aim through training to prepare young people for the world of work, to make them more employable, and to help provide a work force capable of meeting industry's needs.
The key element in this policy, the youth training scheme, has given the chance of a year's broad-based foundation to some 700,000 young people since 1983, and some 60 per cent. of trainees have found a job afterwards. Now we shall build on that achievement, offering from April 1986 two years' training to 16-year-old school leavers and one year to 17-year-old leavers. The extended scheme will provide training in specific occupational skills, with a recognised qualification at the end. It should also prove a significant step in the reform and modernisation of skill training in Britain.