§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements he made to endure the monitoring of the standards of employment training schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeTraining and enterprise councils —TECs—are responsible for delivering employment training schemes. Relations between TECs and the Employment Department are governed by the TEC operating agreement. Under the 1993–94 agreement TECs are required to contract only with training providers that: obtain and maintain approved training organisation status uner criteria published by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, —a copy of which is in the Library; or, have an alternative system approved by my right hon. Friend, as of equivalent or greater assurance and effectiveness.
From April 1994, the Employment Department will require TECs to operate new arrangements in the way they contract for and manage services and products which the Department funds. The new requirements have been approved by my right hon. Friend and a copy can also be found in the Library.