HC Deb 25 July 1997 vol 298 c772W
Ms Moran

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Training and Employment Agency for the financial year 1997–98. [11223]

Mr. Worthington

The following key targets have been set for the agency for 1997–98:

  1. 1. to have 75 per cent. of company development programme client companies using NVQ-based training to raise the competence of their work force;
  2. 2. to encourage the commitment of Northern Ireland industry and commerce to the investors in people standard through the achievement of 50 new recognitions by March 1998, at least 25 of these to be achieved by companies in manufacturing or tradable services, or hotels registered with the NI Tourist Board;
  3. 3. to ensure that of the trainees who commenced mainstream jobskills in 1995–96, at least 45 per cent. achieve NVQ Level 2 or above;

(This target reflects the fact that a number of trainees will leave the programme, before completing their NVQ, in order to take up employment and other opportunities.)

  1. 4. to place 40,000 people into jobs and
  2. 5. to achieve efficiency savings of at least 6 per cent.

Copies of the agency's "Operational Plan 1997–98" will be placed in the parliamentary Libraries.