§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what system of quality control he envisages for training courses run by private training organisations or by employers under his announced system of training credits.
§ Mr. NichollsThe operation of training credit schemes will be the responsibility of training and enterprise councils (TECs) which are invited to submit bids for approval to run pilot schemes against the criteria set out in "Training Credits for Young People: A Prospectus". In all cases training will have to be to approved standards and skill levels.
In particular, the schemes will have to ensure training that leads at a minimum to qualifications at or equivalent to the second level of the framework established by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. Employers and others who provide training under the credit scheme will have to meet the same quality criteria which apply more generally under youth training. The schemes will be aimed at demanding targets for participation by young people, levels of skills attainment and jobs with training.
There will be vigorous, regular monitoring and evaluation of the schemes including visits by the training standards and advisory service, and follow-up of all young people when they leave the credit schemes.