Employment and Training Act 1973

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Employment and Training Act 1973
Act of Parliament
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (variant 1, 1952-2022).svg
Long title An Act to establish public authorities concerned with arrangements for persons to obtain employment and with arrangements for training for employment and to make provision as to the functions of the authorities; to authorise the Secretary of State to provide temporary employment for unemployed persons; to amend the Industrial Training Act 1964 and the law relating to the provision by education authorities of services relating to employment; and for purposes connected with those matters
Citation 1973 c. 50
Introduced byThe Secretary of State for Employment, Mr. Maurice Macmillan Second Reading 13 March 1973 (Commons)
Territorial extent England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Dates
Royal assent 25 July 1973
Commencement 1 January 1974
Status: Amended

The Employment and Training Act 1973 (c. 50) is an act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which makes arrangements for unemployed people to obtain employment by training and other support. It establishes the Manpower Services Commission, the Employment Service Agency and the Training Services Agency.

Contents

Background

The purpose of this Act was to modernise and reform the labour market and allow individuals to develop and use their capabilities. [1] The legislation established the Manpower Services Commission to operate the employment and training services, this was done through two agencies—the Employment Service Agency, and the Training Services Agency. It makes provision for the education authorities to provide career services. The1973 Act amends the Industrial Training Act 1964 under which the industrial training boards had been established. [1] John Howard Locke, the Deputy-Secretary at the Department of Employment, was largely responsible for drafting the Employment and Training Bill. [2]

Provisions

The Long title is: ‘An Act to establish public authorities concerned with arrangements for persons to obtain employment and with arrangements for training for employment and to make provision as to the functions of the authorities; to authorise the Secretary of State to provide temporary employment for unemployed persons; to amend the Industrial Training Act 1964 and the law relating to the provision by education authorities of services relating to employment; and for purposes connected with those matters.’ [3]

The Act received Royal Assent on 25 July 1973.

The Act comprises 15 Sections in five Parts, and four Schedules: [3]

The Manpower Services Commission and the Employment Service and Training Services Agencies

Additional powers of Secretary of State

Modification of Industrial Training Act 1964 and other enactments

Careers services of education authorities

Supplemental

Schedules

Most of the provisions of the Employment and Training Act 1973 came into force on 1 January 1974. [4]

Secretary of State refers to the Secretary of State for Employment.

Subsequent amendments

The Employment and Training Act 1973 has been amended by later legislation. [5]

New sections were added by subsequent legislation: [5]

The Manpower Services Commission was renamed the Training Commission in October 1987 and was itself abolished in 1988. [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hansard. "Employment and Training Bill, Volume 852: debated on Tuesday 13 March 1973". Hansard. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  2. John Locke Obituary, Times, 16 Oct 1998, p.29
  3. 1 2 "Employment and Training Act 1973 (as enacted)" . Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  4. Howells, David J. (September 1980). "The Manpower Services Commission: The First Five Years". Public Administration. 58 (3): 305–332.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Employment and Training Act 1973 (current, as amended)" . Retrieved 13 January 2025.