Chamber and committees

We have no such plans. A comprehensive UK-wide review of the NVQ/SVQ system was conducted between 1996 and 1998 during which employers, National Training Organisations (NTOs) and awarding bodies identified the need for improvements to the assessment process. NTOs are responsible for defining the standards of competence which SVQs recognise. Revised criteria issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in May 1999 now require NTOs also to recommend to awarding bodies any independent assessment considered necessary, the workplace conditions under which assessment should be conducted, and the occupational expertise required by assessors and verifiers.

The Skills Audit showed that Scotland is lagging behind in the achievement of level III qualifications. Modern Apprenticeships are specifically designed to provide high quality training at craft, technical and managerial level. This level is the lynchpin of a skilled competitive workforce for the 21^st century.Since Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in Scotland in 1996 there has been a steady increase in the number of young people entering the programme. The existing target of 15,000 Modern Apprenticeships by 2002 was increased in Making it Work Together, A Programme for Government, to 20,000 by 2003 to maintain momentum in the expansion of the programme. By setting this target we are making clear our commitment to increasing skills levels. We will ensure that the enterprise network has the resources to meet the new target.

Since Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in Scotland in 1996 17,726 young people have entered the programme and 1,979 people have completed.Since a Modern Apprenticeship takes 3-4 years to complete, 1999-2000 is the first year when we expect a number of young people to complete their training. We have set Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise a target of 2100 Modern Apprentices to complete their training by March 2000.

Opportunities and Choices, the Consultation Paper on Post-School Provision for 16-18 year olds raises the issue of funding a wider range of qualifications through the Skillseekers programme. The responses to the consultation exercise are currently being analysed.A consultation paper on the future position of the Training for Work programme will be published later this year.

The target of 20,000 Modern Apprenticeships by 2003 refers to the number of Modern Apprentices undertaking training. A Modern Apprenticeship is a competence-based qualification, so the timescale for completion can vary. Typically, a Modern Apprenticeship takes 3-4 years to complete. Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in Scotland in 1996. Most of the group of young people who started training in 1996 should complete their Modern Apprenticeships during the current financial year. The Scottish Executive in partnership with the enterprise networks set a Grant-in-Aid target of 2100 Modern Apprenticeships to complete their qualification in 1999-2000.

There are no national targets for MAs by industrial or occupational sector.

The Skillseekers programme, which includes delivery of Modern Apprenticeships, is largely demand-led. The 2 main factors are the skills needs of employers and their willingness to train young people and the choices made by young people about their own career path.Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships are managed and delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise through their network of Local Enterprise Companies. The LECs, in their capacity as local economic development agencies, are well placed to understand and manage the balance between skills needs and demand in their local economy. They can also work with the new National Training Organisations to assess training and skills needs in specific sectors.

We have no plans for such mergers at this stage, although we encourage partnership and co-operation between local economic development agencies.

The Scottish Office allocation for the Drug Prevention Initiative in the last three financial years of operation was £387,000 each year.

Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government, which takes the lead on funding and delivery of the New Deal. In Scotland it does this in partnership with the Scottish Executive and contributing Scottish organisations.

The number of people in Scotland participating at end May 1999 are:

(a) New Deal 50 plus: Programme not yet commenced. Pathfinders started on 28 October 1999.

(b) New Deal 25 plus pilots: Information on pilot clients will be available in the Autumn.

(c) New Deal for long-term unemployed people aged 25 plus: 7,500

(d) New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People: 37

(e) New Deal for Disabled People: 233(f) New Deal for Lone Parents: 4,630

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and I have asked the Chairman to write to the Member and will arrange for copies of the replies to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).