§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that training and enterprise councils encourage all young people leaving full-time education with vocationally relevant qualifications to participate in this training.
Mr. JacksonI have set out in the recent publication "1990s: the Skills Decade" the strategic objectives which I expect TECs to address next year. A key objective is that young people should achieve their full potential and develop the skills that the economy needs.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that training and enterprise councils engage a variety of training providers to ensure flexibility in meeting the needs of individual trainees and individual employers.
Mr. JacksonIt is for each training and enterprise council to decide with which training providers to contract to meet the needs of their local community.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that training and enterprise councils construct a simple and stable scheme to devote resources to training and facilitate the development of that training.
Mr. JacksonTraining and enterprise councils (TECs) have been given the freedom and flexibility to adapt training schemes to meet the needs of their local area. I am confident that TECs will put these flexibilities to great use.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that training and enterprise councils make available, with appropriate funds, a choice of training for each individual of working age in Leicestershire up to the maximum of the individual's capability in economic terms.
Mr. JacksonI am confident that the Leicestershire training and enterprise council will provide imaginative and comprehensive plans which will cater for the needs of its local community.