§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria are used to assess applications by YTS managing agents for approval as approved training organisations.
§ Mr. CopeThere are 10 criteria which managing agents must satisfy to achieve full approved training organization status:
- The ability to arrange a two-year training programme
- A good previous record in training
- Adequate resources
- Staff competent to undertake training
- Adequate premises and equipment
- Proper means of assessing trainees
- Effective means to review programmes
- A positive commitment to equal opportunities
- A positive commitment to health and safety
- Financial viability
§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of applications by YTS managing agents for approval as approved training organisations has been given full approval in the current years(a) nationally, (b) in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and (c) in the south-east region ; and to what factors he attributes the different rates of approval in these areas.
§ Mr. CopeDuring the period 1 November 1986–30 September 1987, the proportion of applications by YTS managing agents awarded fully approved training organisation status was:(a) 51 per cent. nationally, (b) 54 per cent. in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and (c) 42 per cent. in the south-east region.
Decisions are made by the Manpower Services Commission regional directors. In reaching a decision they are required to take into account the evidence collected by the MSC about the ability of the applicant organisation to meet the criteria for approved training organisation status, comments on that evidence by the applicant organisation, and recommendations made by the appropriate area manager and area manpower board.
Rates of approval by region are continually changing as new decisions are reached. The MSC intends that YTS managing agents in all regions shall have achieved fully approved status by April 1988.