§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the initiatives taken to improve the employment prospects for young people in Wales during each of the last three years, with in each case the financial commitments involved; and if he will make a statement. [7266]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansGood education and training and sound careers advice are fundamental to a young person's employment prospects. Our programme of action to raise, strengthen standards and widen choice and opportunity is set out in "People and Prosperity: an Agenda for Action in Wales" which was published on 20 March 1995, and in the bright future programme to raise performance in schools.
In the light of these strategies, a wide range of action is being taken locally by education authorities, schools and colleges. Welsh Office funding for the past three years for training and education support programmes that are specifically designed to help young people, and delivered through the training and enterprise councils and local career services, is set out in the table.
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£ million 1994–95 Outturn 1995–96 Outturn 1996–97 Planned expenditure Training for young people— including modern apprenticeships Accelerated modern apprenticeships and youth training youth credits1 39.408 43.201 53.008 Careers service 2n/a 13.911 12.336 TVEI 44.963 — — Education business links 1.605 2.789 3.015 National record of achievement 0.118 0.141 0.157 1 In addition, the Welsh Office has provided funding of £350,000, £150,000 and £500,000 in each of the last three years to TECs to support local initiatives to encourage disaffected young people to enter education, training or employment. 2 Figures for the careers service are not available for 1994–95 as they were funded via LEAs. 3 TVEI—technical and vocational education initiatives—came to an end in 1994–95.