Skill Shortages (Hansard, 1 March 1988)

§ 20. Mr. Steinberg
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will next meet the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss skill shortages in British industry.

§ Mr. Nicholls
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to discuss issues including skills demand and supply with fellow members of the National Economic Development Council, including the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, at the next meeting in April.

§ 59. Ms. Ruddock
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which measures the Training Commission is undertaking to clearly identify skill shortages in London and to ensure that the training programmes of the new adult training organisations address those areas of skill mismatch.

§ Mr. Cope
The Manpower Services Commission gathers information on skills demand and supply from a wide range of sources, including its computer-aided local labour market information system, in-depth studies of industries and occupations, surveys of vacancies at jobcentres and from other external sources.
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The White Paper "Training for Employment" emphasises the importance of longer-term unemployed people acquiring skills in demand in local labour markets. The new training programme for unemployed adults will, therefore, be locally planned and delivered both in London and elsewhere and will take account of local labour market conditions including evidence of skill needs.

§ 67. Mr. Vaz
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on skill shortages in the engineering industry.

§ Mr. Cope
The strength of our economy means that some employers, including some engineering employers, are finding it more difficult to meet some of their skill needs through recruitment. But employers can influence the supply of skills they need by providing the proper incentives for individuals to acquire the right skills and experience and by making the necessary investment in training.
The Government have given a lead by more than doubling their own investment in vocational education and training since 1979. Especially through two-year YTS for school leavers and now, the new £1.4 billion training programme to provide unemployed adults with the skills which today's jobs demand. The Manpower Services Commission also has programmes to encourage employers to recognise and meet their own training needs. Under the engineering science and technology initiative more resources have also been made available to increase relevant higher education opportunities.

§ 78. Mr. Sheerman
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on skill shortages in the electronics industry.

§ Mr. Cope
The strength of our economy means that some employers are finding it more difficult to meet some of their skill needs through recruitment. But employers can influence the supply of skills they need by providing the proper incentives for individuals to acquire the right skills and experience and by making the necessary investment in training.
The Government have given a lead by more than doubling its own investment in vocational education and training since 1979. Especially through two-year YTS for school leavers and now, the new £1.4 billion training programme to provide unemployed adults with the skills which today's jobs demand. The Manpower Services Commission also has programmes to encourage employers to recognise and meet their own training needs and make the necessary provision.
Under the engineering science and technology initiative, more resources have also been made available to increase relevant higher education opportunities.