During a debate in the Assembly on the review of the Training for Success programme, Sir Reg highlighted the importance of directing funding towards more vulnerable young people and their families who are dependent upon means tested benefits. Trainees on this programme do not receive a wage, instead they receive a training allowance of £40 per week.
The Minister emphasised his commitment, and that of his Department, to ensure that during their training, those young people, and their families, most in need of financial support, would receive it.
Speaking after the debate he said: “Many of the young people on the Training for Success training programme come from families on Income Support or Housing Benefit. It is important that we ensure that these young people, and their families, are not further disadvantaged while making the transition from education into the world of work.
“To continue to create a competitive and skilled workforce we must encourage our young people to take up training. The introduction of an Educational Maintenance Allowance for these trainees will mean that the social security benefit will not be reduced.
“I am confident that by easing some of the financial pressures on them and their families, this will act as an incentive for young people to take up, and remain in, training.”
Notes to Editors:
Training for Success is Department for Employment and Learning’s flagship training programme for young people aged 16 to19 years. The average yearly intake is 3,500.
Unwaged trainees are currently paid £40 per week. Training Allowance is taken into account when assessing a family’s, or in some cases, a young person’s entitlement, to benefit such as Income Support. The change to Education Maintenance Allowance of £40 per week means that their benefit will no longer be reduced.
Training is provided by Further Education Colleges and other training Organisations.
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