Dr. Mary-Liz Trant:

There is a range, Deputy. For craft apprenticeships, people officially must have attained a minimum of a junior certificate education. What we have found over the years, especially as the numbers completing the leaving certificate has increased, employers tend to look for leaving certificate education, be that the leaving certificate applied or the leaving certificate established. Officially, the minimum educational attainment level to undertake a craft apprenticeship is the junior certificate. For newer programmes, it all depends on the level.

Some of them are degree-level programmes. Each apprenticeship has a minimum entry requirement and is designed to ensure people will have the ability to succeed.

Recognition of prior learning is built in to all programmes. Deputy O'Connell mentioned people who have done other things and want that to be credited. Recognition of prior learning is an established part of the entire apprenticeship system. There may be advanced entry or certain modules may not have to be completed - it varies. On apprenticeship.ie, we often encourage potential apprentices and guidance counsellors to find out what the entry requirements are and what the pathway to securing the apprenticeship is if someone is interested in doing an apprenticeship.