§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve training and educational opportunities for seasonally unemployed individuals who do not qualify for the New Deal programme. [21318]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Department of Education and Employment is currently considering the future pattern of education and training for unemployed people as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review.
499WA history of seasonal work does not, of itself, indicate a need for intensive help such as training. The Government's Welfare to Work programmes, on the other hand, are particularly intended to help those who face most disadvantage in returning to work.
There are, however, many other sources of help on which seasonally unemployed people, who do not qualify for Welfare to Work programmes can draw. All unemployed people have access to the help and advice of the Employment Service from day one of unemployment, including the job broking service and advice on seeking employment. After three months, unemployed people are given help to broaden their job search through, for example, interviews with employment advisers and job search plus courses. Help with travelling to interviews can also be given at this stage.
In addition, many flexible learning opportunities exist for people who are subject to seasonal or irregular employment, for example through part-time opportunities in further education colleges. TECs may make provision for training and enterprise measures to suit local circumstances, such as seasonal unemployment. Unemployed seasonal workers are subject to the same Jobseeker's Allowances (JSA) rules on education and
GCE A Level entries in English literature by students in England in 1996–97 AEB OCEAC EDEXCEL NEAB Total All courses Grade A 3,466 2,152 1,617 1,922 9,157 Grade B 3,878 3,304 2,215 1,849 11,246 Grade C 4,985 3,361 2,247 2,308 12,901 Grade D 5,197 2,381 1,719 2,181 11,478 Grade E 3,762 971 874 1,473 7,080 Grade N 1,186 205 287 559 2,237 Unclassified 531 128 204 287 1,150 Total courses 23,005 12,502 9,163 10,579 55,249 Modular courses Grade A — 1,514 1,617 — 3,131 Grade B — 2,455 2,215 — 4,670 Grade C — 2,405 2,247 — 4,652 Grade D — 1,452 1,719 — 3,171 Grade E — 435 874 — 1,309 Grade N — 51 287 — 338 Unclassified — 85 204 — 289 Total modular — 8,397 9,163 — 17,560 Key AEB: Associated Examining Board. OCEAC: Oxford and Cambridge Examinations and Assessment Board. EDEXCEL: Education in Excellence. NEAB: Northern Examinations and Assessment Board. Grades A to E represent a pass at that level and N represents a near miss.