HC Deb 06 December 1988 vol 143 cc146-7W
70. Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any proposals to increase the number of women school leavers who enter technical training courses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The Government give priority to ensuring that school-leavers have equal opportunities to enter technician training or other training courses in Technical or Information technology subjects. The training agency policies reflect this, including YTS special women-only courses, reserved place schemes, Local action plans and new initial training arrangements to help young women to enter training which is unconventional to their gender.

The technical and vocational education initiative which is not being extended across all education authorities will also enable girls aged 14 to 18 to experience technology, and encourage them to obtain skills and qualifications of more direct relevance to working life, while still at school or college.