§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria were operated in deciding how many community opportunities posts were allocated to each training area; what is the decision making process operated by Training Agency area offices whereby host organisations are awarded community opportunities posts; and what value-for-money measurements are applied in this process.
§ Mr. NichollsIn developing the arrangements for community opportunities, Training Agency area offices took into account the make-up of their area, the likely size of the client group, and the buoyancy of the local labour market.
In selecting host organisations area office staff considered the following criteria:
- (i) proven experience in arranging voluntary activity for individuals;
- (ii) ability to access a range of voluntary activity to meet the differing needs of clients;
- (iii) ability to relate to, and well established links with, voluntary organisations in the community;
- (iv) a local base in the area, together with the necessary facilities to accommodate a co-ordinator on their premises;
- (v) operation of an equal opportunities policy.
Account was also taken of the effectiveness with which the host organisation could organise the opportunities for employment training leavers, and the performance of host organisations will be carefully monitored.