Mr. Michael Hourihan:

I thank the Chair and committee members. World Skills Ireland wishes to thank the committee for providing us with this opportunity to speak about the further expansion and funding of craft apprenticeships and new generation apprenticeships. This statement will give an overview of the current situation regarding the provision of apprenticeship training in Munster Technological University, MTU. The issues raised are common to all higher education apprenticeship providers. Furthermore, the statement will outline what World Skills Ireland does on a day-to-day basis and will give an overview of upcoming World Skills activities at national and international level.

Apprenticeships are central to the mission, remit and activities of the technological university and institute of technology sector. Munster Technological University is the largest provider of craft apprenticeship programmes in the country. Approximately 1,600 craft apprenticeships will complete their off-the-job phases in MTU during the 2022-2023 academic year. Craft apprentices in electrical, refrigeration, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, plastering, pipe fitting, metal fabrication fitting, motor, construction plant fitting, instrumentation and agricultural mechanics complete phases four and six of their apprenticeship in MTU. Furthermore, post-2016, MTU delivers consortium-led apprenticeship programmes, which offer university degree qualifications. Currently, more than 200 students are registered across programmes, in the areas of manufacturing and engineering, and engineering services management, among others. The flexibility and availability of online learning options provides blended learning opportunities which enable us to extend the reach of new apprenticeship programmes and to enhance the delivery of the craft apprenticeship programmes.

Apprenticeships are offered at all levels of the national qualification framework, from level 6 to level 10. It is a mode of learning that is built around an employer requirement, with the learning provided by both higher education and further education, depending on the level of the award. The level of engagement of the higher level community in apprentice provision is significant and therefore the level of annual and capital investment should be significant. With that in mind, the main challenges that are facing MTU and, indeed, most of the technological universities and institutes of technology, with regard to the delivery of apprenticeship programmes are the lack of facilities.

By facilities, I mean classrooms, laboratories, workshops and offices. Technological universities, TU, and institutes of technology, IT, receive capital funding for equipment when new curriculums are introduced but no funding is provided for new buildings or for the upgrade of existing buildings to facilitate the installation of this new equipment. Specific funding to upgrade buildings is essential for the successful delivery of both craft and consortium-led apprenticeship programmes. In the case of the Bishopstown campus of the Munster Technological University, MTU, there will be a requirement in the region of €30 million for the upgrade and development of buildings to facilitate the delivery of existing and new apprenticeship programmes.

Both MTU and WorldSkills Ireland fully support and welcome the new Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and the establishment of the national apprenticeship office. It should be noted that the higher education sector and WorldSkills Ireland play a key role in the transition of current SOLAS co-ordinated craft apprenticeships to a consortium-led model, a process which will be managed by the national apprenticeship office. We look forward to the development of a single apprenticeship model, and both higher education and WorldSkills Ireland are well-placed to help and, indeed, lead in the development process to ensure the result will be a workable and world-class model.

I will hand over to my colleague, Mr. English, who is the technical delegate for WorldSkills Ireland, to outline activities in the WorldSkills Ireland organisation.