Mr. Michael Hourihan:

The current apprenticeship system is employer-led and the new apprenticeship system is consortium-led. They are really the same because both systems are demand-driven. So first one must identify there is a demand.

Once that is identified and the process is in place, it must be ensured that a suitable programme is generated and set up. That takes time because one cannot rush into something like that. One must make sure it hits all the markers and does everything correctly.

Furthermore, one must get the employers onside. They must realise it is not just about getting young people on the job. There is an educational side to it as well. There is a theoretical side to everything. Putting all that together, one must get everything in line. A realistic answer would be that if we identified something here today and we had the people in the room who could get it up and running, it would take a minimum of 12 months.