asked the Minister for Education the number of experimental pre-employment courses organised by his Department in 1979, 1980 and 1981; the number of young people who participated; and the expenditure involved in the courses.
Written Answers. - Pre-Employment Courses.
657.
It is estimated that 3,600 students in 180 centres in vocational, community and comprehensive schools would participate in the 1979-80 Pre-Employment Programme. This envisaged 20 students per centre per course. A similar total number of 3,600 students in 109 centres was expected to participate in the 1980-81 Pre-Employment Programme. Fifteen of the 109 centres operated more than one course. It is not possible to indicate the actual number of students who participated in the programmes or to give the actual total expenditure involved as details of the number of participants and returns of costs have not yet been received from all vocational education committees and community and comprehensive schools concerned. The estimated total cost is £2,376,300 for the 1979-80 courses and £2,881,805 for the 1980-81 courses referred to.