HC Deb 28 February 1990 vol 168 cc245-6W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employment training trainees are taking part in access courses to higher education as part of their training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

It is not possible to identify the number of employment training (ET) trainees taking part in access courses. Access courses that satisfy normal ET criteria can help to prepare trainees for a variety of employment and training opportunities including higher education.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether claimants who are already undertaking a part-time education or training course under the 21-hour rule may have this course included in their employment training action plan, if they wish to participate in the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

Claimants who have undertaken a part-time education or training course under the 21-hour rule may in certain circumstances have the course included in their employment training action plan. In order to be included the course would have to be an integral part of the person's training programme under employment training; be directly relevant to the individual's vocational goal; and agreed as the best method of meeting individual training needs. All other employment training conditions, such as the requirement to complete 30 hours training each week, would continue to apply.

Claimants not in employment, spring 1988: Great Britain
Thousand
(i) Not looked for work in reference week (ii) Not looked for work in last four weeks (iii) Not available to start work (iv) Both (i) and (iii) (v) Both (ii) and (iii)
All persons
(a) Would like a full-time job 270 150 60 50 40
(b) Would like a part-time job 110 70 30 20 20
(c) No preference 40 30 10 10 10
Men
(a) Would like a full-time job 210 120 40 30 20
(b) Would like a part-time job 40 30 10 10 10
(c) No preference 30 20 10 0 0
Women
(a) Would like a full-time job 60 30 20 10 10

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether ET trainees may study for O and A-levels as part of their directed training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

Yes. O-levels or A-levels may help certain trainees to make progress towards their chosen occupation. If so agreed, these qualifications would then be specified as part of directed training within the trainee's action plan.