§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many trainees are(a) on the new Worktrain Programme and (b) what was the average number of trainees in each month on the Action for Community Employment scheme in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [72542]
(2) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Worktrain Programme; and if she will make a statement; [72543]
(3) what special help will be made available to organisations which have used Action for Community Employment in order to help them adjust to the loss of funding. [72544]
§ Mr. IngramResponsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Ian Walters to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 1 March 1999.
Parliamentary question 72542–72544The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) and Worktrain programmes.Parliamentary question 72542
- (a) We are planning to introduce Worktrain on 1 August 1999 if not sooner. Currently there are no trainees participating in the programme.
- (b) The number of trainees in the ACE programme during 1998 is shown in the attached table.
Parliamentary question 72543A major review of the provision for the long-term unemployed and an independent evaluation of ACE highlighted the need for the programme to be better targeted, tailored to the individual needs and focused on helping people into permanent jobs. The introduction of Worktrain reflects the findings of this research and the allocation of resources in accordance with Government objectives and priorities.The effectiveness of the programme will be fully evaluated.585WParliamentary question 72544I am pleased to say that help is being offered on several fronts to ACE organisations.Existing contracts with ACE providers have been extended to 31 July from their original expiry date of 31 March. This extension will allow ACE organisations more time to prepare for New Deal and Worktrain and to take business decisions about their future.The Management Committees of organisations which might find it hard to survive are being encouraged to urgently consider the possibilities of amalgamating with others, subcontracting and, of course, the preparation of bids for Worktrain. The Agency is working as quickly as possible to implement the tendering and contracting process for Worktrain to minimise any period of uncertainty for organisations.For those organisations already part of New Deal Consortia, there will be an increasing role for them to play under the Voluntary and Environmental Sector Options of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds and the Intensive Activity Period of the New Deal for the over 25s. As ACE numbers decline, New Deal numbers will increase, thereby helping to maintain an equilibrium within organisations.Organisations are also being encouraged to work together to develop innovative proposals within the framework of Worktrain. There is scope for new approaches customised to meet the needs and circumstances of local communities. Contracts will be awarded on the basis of competitive tendering and ACE organisations, either individually or as a member of a partnership, will be well placed to bid.The Minister, Mr. McFall, has established a cross departmental team which reports directly to him. The team is tasked with offering advice and whatever support may be possible to effect a smooth transition from ACE to New Deal and Worktrain.I hope you find this reply useful.
ACE average occupancy January 1998-December 1998 Month Occupancy January 4,201 February 4,219 March 4,183 April 4,172 May 4,063 June 3,944 July 3,781 August 3,700 September 3,712 October 3,756 November 3,776 December 3,838