Approved Training Organisations (Hansard, 8 July 1992)

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the standards used to award the status of approved training organisations.
252W

§ Mr. Stewart
[holding answer 3 July 1992]: There are seven functions for each of which aims must be met and a number of criteria satisfied for the award of approved training organisation status. These functions, which are common to both employment training and youth training, are set out:

identification of training needs;

training designed and delivered to national standards;

effective quality management;

recruitment, selection and competence of staff;

equal opportunities policy;

health, safety and suitability of premises and equipment;

financial viability.

The aims and criteria are detailed in a document entitled "Approved Training Organisation" published by the Training Agency, a copy of which is in the House Library.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many approved training organisations there have been in Scotland in each of the last three years.

§ Mr. Stewart
[holding answer 3 July 1992]: As at 30 April 1990, 18 training agents and 157 training managers for employment training in Scotland had achieved approved training organisation stage 1. Corresponding information for youth training was not held centrally. In subsequent years, responsibility for monitoring the standards achieved by training providers has rested with local enterprise companies which maintain their own records on the training providers with which they contract.