HC Deb 09 December 1992 vol 215 c728W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make it her policy to establish United Kingdom wide minimum standards for the provision of vocational training, including(a) maximum numbers of hours that trainees are allowed to work, (b) the proportion of time to be spent on off-the-job training, (c) the proportion of time to be spent on placement, (d) break entitlements, (e) holiday entitlement, (f) other paid or unpaid leave and (g) grievance and disciplinary procedures.

Mr. McLoughlin

We have no plans to do so.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines have been produced by her Department to training and enterprise councils concerning the inclusion of statements relating to(a) the quality of the training provision and (b) equal opportunity statements within their operating agreements.

Mr. McLoughlin

Relations between training and enterprise councils and the Employment Department are governed by the TEC operating agreement. Under this agreement TECs are required toContract only with training providers that obtain and maintain approved training organisation status under criteria published by the Secretary of State or under criteria that are agreed to be at least equivalent; and to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure equality of opportunity in respect of all their activities and to pass on this obligation to their training providers.

Each year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State produces strategic guidance to support TECs in developing their plans. This sets out the strategic priorities that underpin the operating agreement. These cover help for those at a disadvantage in the labour market and the provision of high quality training.

In addition, TECs have access to "Developing Good Practice" briefs on equal opportunities, managing quality and a wide range of other subjects.