Training and Enterprise Councils (Hansard, 14 March 1989)

§ 96. Mr. Baldry
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals to create training and enterprise councils.

§ 141. Mr. Patrick Thompson
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received on his proposals to create training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Fowler
On 10 March I published a prospectus inviting local groups of employers to submit proposals for204W forming training and enterprise councils in their areas. The TECs will represent a fundamental change in the way training and enterprise activities are managed and developed. The idea has captured the imagination of employers throughout the country and we have already had many inquiries. I have invited the first formal applications for development funding by the end of April. I expect the first TECs to be in operation by early next year.

§ 115. Miss Widdecombe
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contributions training and enterprise councils will make to meeting skill shortages; and if he will make a statement.

§ 127. Mr. Hunter
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals to establish training and enterprise councils to deal with skill shortages.

§ 159. Mr. Colin Shepherd
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline his proposals for employers to direct training for jobs on a local basis through training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Cope
Training and enterprise councils offer employers major opportunities to improve the supply of skills and to promote enterprise. They will be well placed to identify key skill needs in their localities. They will manage and develop the training and enterprise programmes previously run by the Employment Department so that they meet local needs more effectively. The TECs will also be able to take new initiatives, in partnership with others, to promote more effective training and small business support, using public and private funds. They will have a key role in helping to stimulate greater investment by employers in training their employees. The TECs will greatly increase employers' ability to mould the training system to meet their needs.