§ Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many places are provided by Merseyside TEC on the Jacuzzi course; and what is the cost per place; [31485]
(2) what arrangements are in place to monitor the success of the Jacuzzi course provided by Merseyside TEC; how many people have to date completed the Jacuzzi course provided by Merseyside TEC; and what assessment he has made of whether the course is an appropriate use of the training budget; [31487]
(3) what course fees or other payments are paid to Mr. Keith Elliott, course leader of the jacuzzi course, by Merseyside TEC, and to the Liverpool Moat House hotel for providing a venue for the course. [31486]
§ Mr. PaiceIn February 1995, Merseyside training and enterprise council piloted a three-day course aimed at building up the motivation and confidence of long-term170W unemployed people. The course was designed to prepare them for entry on to a training for work programme by giving practical and positive advice on how to retrain and seek employment. The eight people who completed this course went on to further training, with six gaining work-related qualifications and one obtaining a work placement. The qualifications gained will be valuable, in helping them secure employment.
On the strength of the success of this pilot course, Merseyside TEC contracted with John Moores university to deliver a further three-day course commencing 20 June 1995. Fourteen people completed this course and a similar evaluation of the longer-term benefits is currently under way.
The Department contracts with the TECs for the provision of training. TECs are private sector companies and details of the financial arrangements that they make with subcontractors to organise and deliver training are commercial-in-confidence and not part of the Department's contract.
Through the Government office for Merseyside, the Department has in place regular monitoring arrangements to ensure Merseyside TECs delivery of its programmes, meets the quality standards laid down in its contract.