§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation he has made of training course validation processes (i) within each of the armed services and (ii) between the armed services. [106425]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Armed Forces employ the "Systems Approach to Training" methodology for the quality management of the development and delivery of their training courses. This conforms to current best practice in other NATO Armed Forces and is designed primarily to ensure that Service personnel are trained in a cost-effective manner to meet the high standards of performance required in operational situations.
All three Services allocate resources to the development of validation processes and to their application to training courses. In this context, validation involves confirming that courses meet their stated aims and that students have met the prescribed standards, and confirming that the course aims continue to reflect operational needs.
The three Services co-operate closely in the development of these processes and take account of best practice in both military and civilian training 66W organisations. They have recently published a joint approach to a quality standard based on the "Systems Approach to Training" which confirms common standards for the management of training across all three Services, while taking account of the differing training requirements of each individual Services.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to merge the training functions of the armed services. [106427]
§ Mr. SpellarA number of training functions are already being delivered on a joint service or lead service basis. The scope for further rationalisation of training between the three Services and the Civil Service is being examined as part of the wide ranging and fundamental review of defence training and education announced in the House by my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, on 22 July 1999,Official Report, columns 612–13W.