asked the Minister for Labour the types of courses being conducted at present for women by AnCO; and the number of women participating in each course.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - AnCO Courses for Women.
6.
As I have emphasised in various public statements a widening of training opportunities for women requires a change in the attitudes of the interests involved. The present situation is that AnCO has a range of 54 courses in operation at its training centres and women are eligible to apply for places on all of them. In practice women have tended to apply for courses traditionally followed by them. AnCO are re-designing their brochures to emphasise that all the courses are open to women and at the same time are planning an extension of the range of courses particularly suitable for them.
Research is being conducted by AnCO into the attitudes of girls to apprenticeship and into the problems associated with married women returning to work. They are further examining, with the help of the women's representative committee, whether special arrangements are necessary for the training of women, particularly those who are married and have children.
A total of 323 women participated in AnCO training courses during 1974 and the target for 1975 is 600.
At present 124 women are participating in 11 different training courses and particulars are included in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
The statement is as follows:—
|
Clerical Course |
40 |
|
Sewing Machine Operating |
25 |
|
Instructor Training |
16 |
|
Introduction to Electronics Industry |
12 |
|
Introduction to Industry |
10 |
|
Junior Management Development |
7 |
|
Sewing Machine Servicing |
6 |
|
Hairdressing |
3 |
|
Radio/TV Servicing |
2 |
|
Toolmaking |
2 |
|
General Engineering for |
|
|
Operatives |
1 |
Are there mixed courses in AnCO? Are there some courses in which both men and women are availing of particular training?
I would say there are, but I cannot answer the question literally. The tabular statement being circulated with the reply has the information that 12 women are taking part in the introduction to the electronics industry. The possibility is that would be a mixed course. We are trying to get away from the position in which there are courses confined to men and courses confined to women. The intent of the brochure is to suggest to women that they should leave courses which, by tradition and convention, are regarded as suitable for them and suggest to them that they should join courses traditionally filled by men.
Would the Minister not agree that more publicity and encouragement are urgently needed in this regard?
I quite agree.
Would the Minister state what type of courses are available?
This concerns me a good deal. I am of the opinion that a great many of the courses do not suit married women, for instance, who wish to re-enter the labour market with an additional skill. The possibility is that the courses in many cases do not suit their hours and a study is proceeding to ensure that courses will be available which will be suitable.
Is it not true that in the construction of training centres no provision was made for facilities for women? Is the Minister making provision now to ensure facilities will be provided for them?
I agree that in many cases construction some years ago was not sufficiently influenced by the possibility of women being recruited to the labour force. We are now correcting that.