asked the Minister for Labour the reason why the length of an AnCO course (details supplied) was curtailed; the number of people who (a) were accepted for and (b) completed the course; the amount spent on equipment for the students and the date each item of equipment was provided; the date the money for equipment was made available to the firm involved; if the course is to be repeated; and if he will ensure that the new course is of the appropriate length and up to standard in all respects.
Written Answers. - AnCO Course.
374.
The course in question is a pilot programme introduced, under AnCO's external training programme, to train women as pattern drafters-designers for the clothing industry and is aimed at attracting women to areas of work where they have traditionally been under-represented.
(a) AnCO originally intended the course to run for 52 weeks. However, as a result of an evaluation taken in June it was decided to reduce its length to 40 weeks since it became clear that the trainees could attain a sufficiently high level of expertise in that length of time.
(b) There was a phased intake of trainees to the programme — ten started in December 1979 and 11 started in February 1980. The programme ends on 14 November 1980 with a group of 18 trainees. Three women terminated early, one to become self-employed and two for personal reasons.
The cost of equipment and materials purchased for the programme and the date the money for the equipment was made available to the firms involved is as follows:—
|
Company |
Invoice Date |
Date Paid |
Amount |
Item |
|
£ |
||||
|
Bond Sportswear |
18/1/80 |
50.00 |
Material |
|
|
Fabtex Sales |
6/5/80 |
17/5/80 |
21.24 |
Tracing Paper |
|
Hannon & Co. |
2/5/80 |
2/5/80 |
7.50 |
French Denim |
|
Hannon & Co. |
15/5/80 |
6/6/80 |
37.50 |
French Denim |
|
Fabtex Sales |
13/5/80 |
11/6/80 |
430.26 |
Books, punch, drill, tapes, French curves, grader, rules, pattern paper, etc. |
|
Hannon & Co. |
16/5/80 |
11/6/80 |
352.13 |
Material |
|
Guest Speakers |
11/6/80 |
40.00 |
4 Guest Speakers |
|
|
Fabtex Sales |
8/6/80 |
18/6/80 |
17.97 |
VAT on sales |
|
Hannon & Co. |
5/6/80 |
26/6/80 |
99.00 |
Denim |
|
Sertex Sales |
25/5/80 |
26/6/80 |
258.63 |
Various consumable items |
|
*United Merchants |
16/5/80 |
26/6/80 |
607.21 |
Materials |
|
Buttons `n' Bows |
24/6/80 |
22/7/80 |
88.75 |
Material |
|
Bond Sportswear |
22/7/80 |
33.00 |
Material |
|
|
Walkinstown Trading |
22/7/80 |
31/7/80 |
133.00 |
Stationery |
|
Bond Sportswear |
30/7/80 |
8/8/80 |
32.80 |
Stationery |
|
Mildred Cullivan |
5/9/80 |
16/9/80 |
200.00 |
Instructor |
|
*Irish Textiles |
16/5/80 |
16/9/80 |
149.40 |
Material |
|
Julie Tully |
1/9/80 |
30/9/80 |
10.00 |
Guest Speaker |
|
Irish Textiles |
3/10/80 |
28/10/80 |
66.30 |
Material |
|
Coltex Sales |
30/8/80 |
17/10/80 |
47.53 |
Material |
|
Sertex Sales |
5/6/80 |
17/10/80 |
5.95 |
Chalk |
|
Machines Ltd. |
30/10/80 |
24/10/80 |
15.00 |
Delivery Charge |
|
2,703.17 |
||||
|
Wool Trends Ltd. |
2,520.00 |
Capital Item |
||
|
(Capital Items purchased by AnCO at commencement of the course and will remain property of AnCO) |
TOTAL |
5,223.17 |
* Bond Group of Co's.
This equipment was introduced on a continuous basis as the training demanded. Existing AnCO equipment was also used during the course of the programme.
On completion the programme will be reviewed and evaluated and a decision will be taken whether or not to repeat it. So far, even prior to the end of the course, nine trainees have secured jobs in relevant employment in the clothing industry, which they will take up on completion of the programme. AnCO is very satisfied with the training standard achieved on this programme and with its relevance to the needs of the industry as evidenced by the number already placed.