§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements have been made to evaluate the Connexions service pilots. [140392]
§ Mr. WicksWe appointed GHK Economics and Management Ltd. as the `National Evaluator' for the Connexions pilots in July 2000. They are carrying out a comprehensive programme of action research to identify the added value, emerging good practice, and other issues arising from the piloting and initial development of the Connexions service. In addition, the pilots are resourced to carry out their own local evaluations, which will contribute to the national study.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in developing a training programme for personal advisers. [140390]
§ Mr. WicksA `Diploma for Personal Advisers' course, designed to train those advisers who will be working with young people who need significant amounts of help, is currently being piloted. Four other elements of the training programme are also being developed: an `Understanding Connexions' course, for advisers working with the wider group of young people; an access course; a Connexions management course; and an extension programme for those holding the Diploma.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if all young people will have access to a personal adviser with the Connexions service; and what proportion are expected to need one. [140389]
§ Mr. WicksAll young people between the ages of 13 and 19 will have access to a Connexions service personal adviser, and are expected to have some contact with the service, but there will be a large variation in the amount of help they will need. Some young people will need only advice about qualifications or career options, while others will need intensive, sustained help to overcome severe barriers to learning.