Dr. Mary-Liz Trant:

The apprenticeship model is very dynamic and we get that feedback from employers. Because there is such a close connection between industry and education, all the emerging technologies and skills coming through an industry can be reflected in apprenticeships. More than 50 new apprenticeships have been developed in the past ten years. What happens is there are employers, education providers and employee representatives around the table and there is a constant dialogue about emerging skills. For example, one of the apprenticeships coming through now is in the area of modern methods of construction. This is all very recent and very new. The apprenticeship model provides an opportunity to develop that and update all that is there already. There is the NAA, a forum that includes employers, providers, social partners and apprentice representatives. This is the forum where new apprenticeship proposals come and are considered. There is a match with emergent skills needs and then there is a whole process of validation and constant updated apprenticeships. It is a very dynamic model and the feedback is that it really suits industry and employers because they can see how the programme is kept up to date.