§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information her Department has evaluated regarding age discrimination in the provision of skills and IT training. [13170]
§ John HealeyThe Government support a wide-ranging research programme to inform the development of their education and training policies, including those relating to participation in learning by older people. In addition to survey data and academic and action research, we consult with the providers of education and training, employers, trade unions and, of course, older learners themselves.
856WFollowing the launch of the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, the Government undertook a comprehensive evaluation programme. This involved an evaluation of the "employment cycle" including training and development within work; and a qualitative study into the effectiveness of three Government training programmes to help unemployed older people into work. The results from this research have been used to develop policy on combating age discrimination. For example, the evaluation of the Age Diversity Code led to an enhancement of the "Age Positive" campaign, which promotes the benefits of an age diverse workforce to employers; and it also helped to target the campaign effectively on small and medium sized employers.