§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what level of training will be undertaken by Employment Service staff to prepare them for their new duties under the New Deal. [31204]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
753WLetter from Leigh Lewis to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 27 February 1998:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the level of training that will be undertaken by Employment Service staff to prepare them for their duties under the New Deal. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.All Employment Service staff are receiving extensive briefing about the New Deal through a combination of guidance, conferences and written information. The main recipients of additional training will be the ES New Deal Personal Advisers, who have been careful selected from amongst the most experienced members of the ES's current advisory teams. In general they will have either to hold an NVQIII in advice, guidance and counselling or to be working to that qualification. In addition they will be provided with an overview event lasting a minimum of half a day on the aims and objectives of New Deal followed by a specific three day event focusing on the knowledge and skills required for the adviser's task.Specific training has also been designed for other ES staff including a New Deal Overview event, New Deal Marketing and Vacancy Taking event, New Deal Team Leader event and modularised New Deal processes events.I hope this is helpful.