HC Deb 24 May 1989 vol 153 cc570-1W
Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in which areas the level of effectiveness of non-statutory training organisations has improved since production of the Manpower Services Commission study "The Full Fact Finding Study of the NSTO System".

Mr. Cope

There has been no overall study of the effectiveness of non-statutory training organisations since the Manpower Services Commission research report in 1987.

Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many non-statutory training organisations currently meet the standards laid down in the Manpower Services Commission publication "The Effective NSTO"; and what steps he is taking to secure compliance with those standards by the remaining non-statutory training organisations.

Mr. Cope

Since the Manpower Services Commission research report in 1987, many non-statutory training organisations have taken steps to improve their effectiveness. The Government continue to provide financial support to help effectiveness improvements in these organisations. "Employment for the 1990s" (Cm. 540) noted the Government's welcome for the establishment of the voluntary National Council for Industry Training Organisations, and the Training Agency is assisting the council in producing a code of practice for members. Further research will be commissioned in due course.

Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of resourcing and support to non-statutory training organisations from employers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The majority of non-statutory training organisations command the support of the employers in their industries and have adequate resources to be effective in carrying forward the remits for industry-level training organisations set out in "Employment for the 1990s" (Cm 540). The Government continue to assist the less effective and new bodies.

Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, in the light of the finding of the Manpower Services Commission study "The Full Fact Finding Study of the NSTO System" that 79 per cent. of employers would not contribute more resources to training organisations, what steps he is taking to ensure that the industry-level training organisations proposed in the White Paper "Employment for the 1990s" will attract sufficient industry support.

Mr. Cope

The great majority of employers in Great Britain support vocational education and training for their employees; a very small proportion of that support goes to finance the voluntary and independent non-statutory training organisations. All proposals for new organisations are required to detail the level of support being obtained from employers in the relevant industry.