HC Deb 03 June 1986 vol 98 cc458-9W
Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the courses available in each Government training centre in Northern Ireland, indicating the uptake of each course and the number of staff employed in each course.

Dr. Boyson

The table indicates the courses available at each training centre and the number of persons entering training during the year ended 31 March 1986.

Each course is manned by one instructor per class of 10–12 trainees and all centres have additional instructional staff to cover courses in the event of sickness, annual leave and so on.

Alfred street, Belfast Bailymena Boucher road, Belfast Craigavon Dundonald Enniskillen Felden Belfast Lisburn Maydown Londonderry Newry Omagh Springtown Londonderry Totals
Apprenticeship courses
Joinery 73 48 35 84 22 24 35 46 97 37 24 525
Bricklaying 35 22 23 34 33 23 42 93 24 24 353
Plastering 10 30 29 20 23 24 136
Electrical installation 58 12 31 31 8 140
Painting 9 18 24 10 24 85
Plumbing 13 24 22 25 12 11 107
Electrical engineering 72 18 90
Fabrication engineering 23 30 21 21 24 11 20 10 24 184
Mechanical engineering 23 20 32 54 15 13 157
Light vehicle repair 36 34 24 89 48 34 42 42 349
Heavy vehicle repair 9 28 37
Agricultural machinery repair 8 13 21
Light vehicle body repair 31 31
Contractor's plant mechanics 38 38
Heavy vehicle body building/repair 8 8
Adult courses
Light engineering assembly 115 8 123
Catering/cookery 287 287
Stitching 227 227
Basic creative (constructions) 112 540 52 97 145 66 28 41 99 41 555 1,776
General engineering 64 115 34 72 46 83 51 30 49 544
Milling/grinding 6 44 96 90 39 57 332
Toolmaking 53 10 15 43 19 12 18 28 198
Welding 69 92 65 114 53 123 84 71 55 13 739
Capstan/centre lathe 26 27 70 101 29 30 34 41 63 421
Industrial electronics 10 35 9 54
Computer awareness 84 5 4 68 8 293 462
Fabrication 37 53 36 26 26 178
Radio and TV repair 15 10 27 52
Advanced/Hi Tech welding 33 26 35 35 129
Electrical maintenance 117 117
Pneumatics/hydraulics/refrigeration 172 172
Domestic appliance repair 16 16
Instrumentation 14 14
Totals 629 1,086 1,114 495 1,582 579 1,033 1,050 578 1,112 451 1,066 10,775

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account is taken of local need, population distribution and fair employment aims in deciding the allocation of courses and resources among Government training centres.

Dr. Boyson

The allocation of courses and resources at training centres is based on the needs of industry, industrial promotion and of individuals in the areas which the centres serve. In allocating such courses and resources the Government are concerned to ensure equality of opportunity of access to training in accordance with the principles of fair employment legislation.