Mr. Aebhric McGibney:

Value for money would also be an important part of any spending programme. Mr. Talbot made a good point and one of the things he mentioned was the idea of administrative transfer options. One of the deterrents for some small businesses is that they feel they cannot meet the full needs of the curriculum for an apprenticeship. They might meet 80% of them but there may be a larger firm down the road that can meet the other 20%. We understand this option is an informal arrangement so if a firm asks for it, it can get it. However, it is not promoted so the initial hurdle for an SME that might want to take part is that it does not think it can make it. It would help if the administrative transfer option was better known and more actively promoted. This does not mean breaking up the apprenticeship and making it unmanageable. In that regard, I am conscious of the needs of the apprentice. What it means is the ability to share some of the education and experience pieces with another firm.