§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to change the current arrangements whereby employers are expected to pay a training allowance to special needs trainees in Scotland. [77422]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 24 March 1999]: Trainees in Skillseekers who are designated as having special training needs (STN) and who are on placement with an employer do not receive a training allowance from the employer. The training allowance is paid by the training provider at a level set by the LEC. An employer who is delivering the training under contract to the LEC and is, therefore, acting as the training provider, would be responsible for managing the training allowance. If an employer has chosen to employ an STN trainee, then he will pay the trainee a wage, not a training allowance.
As from 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.