Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am also sharing time with Deputy Broughan.

I will start by referring to a reply I received in mid-October to a parliamentary question about apprenticeships. My question concerned the hospitality area and the shortages therein. The reply stated that an expert group on future skills set up in 2015 produced a number of findings and recommendations, one of which was the establishment of a national oversight and advisory group. This group was set up for two years in 2016 and identified five priority areas, including the development of apprenticeships and an audit of courses. A report was issued on the audit and how to identify the gaps and address the skill sets required by the sector. As of now, two apprenticeships are operational and a further three are in development. Further to this, a restaurant and hospitality Skillnet course was established in 2017. In the meantime there is a shortage in the industry, notwithstanding what the Minister of State said earlier.

Under the old system run under the remit of Fáilte Ireland, certificate courses were provided in a wide variety of areas, ranging from accommodation to manager positions. Workplaces were built in to the courses and there were opportunities for on-the-job training, particularly at managerial level. The tourism and hospitality industry was well staffed at that time. However, this initiative, which was working well, was disbanded leading to a shortage of staff. In the meantime, we are getting audits, reports and plans for the future.

A second issue I came across concerned contractors who found it difficult to get apprentices in the mechanical engineering field. They devised a free five-week pre-apprenticeship course. They saw the need for it. It comprised five weeks basic training, including work experience. All the tools and equipment were provided and the course served as a weeding-out process. There was a cost attached. Seven young people took part and although two dropped out, five completed the course and have now secured apprenticeships. The person running the course was approved for training and parts of the course are certified. The irony is that one of the young people, who was in homeless accommodation, found that his social protection payment was stopped because he was not available for work. He was penalised for undertaking a pre-apprenticeship course that could have led to a well-paid job. To date, SOLAS and the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, CDETB, have not responded to appeals to meet this group. I hope they will do so after this debate. I was informed in a reply to another parliamentary question that the Department of Education and Skills is engaging with SOLAS on a review of pathways to apprenticeships. I hope there will be a place for the course to which I referred.

We must also examine post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses. There are several such one-year courses that could lead into apprenticeships in the area as well as further qualifications. Joined-up thinking is badly needed. There must be a space for individual initiatives like the one I mentioned and for PLC courses. There must also be a more concentrated outreach effort towards schools. Just as colleges visit students in fifth and sixth year, representatives should visit schools to talk about apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship courses. It has to be acknowledged that FÁS's reputation in this area has not been good, and this needs to be improved.

It is also important to reach students at junior certificate level, particularly those who do not want to go further in formal education. There is an opportunity to have a big display on apprenticeships and where they can lead at the Higher Options event.

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