Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

SOLAS is the body with statutory responsibility for the management of the apprenticeship training model in Ireland. SOLAS also convenes the national apprenticeship advisory committee, representative of employers, unions, education and training bodies and State agencies, to advise on a range of issues relating to apprenticeship. I understand from SOLAS that, as of 28 August this year, the total apprenticeship population in Ireland is 7,483. This is made up of a live population of 6,331 and a redundant population of 1,152. Of the live population, the total of those on the job is 5,591 while a further 740 are on off-the-job training.

Apprenticeship is a demand-led scheme and SOLAS approves an employer as competent to train apprentices but does not limit or control recruitment numbers. The continuity of apprentice registrations and the number of apprentices registered with SOLAS is determined by individual employers within a broad range of occupational sectors.

In recognition of the fact that since the current system of apprenticeship was implemented in the early 1990s there have been major changes to the structure of the economy and the nature of employment, my predecessor established an independent review group to progress a consultation process and prepare recommendations on how the apprenticeship system could be improved. The group's membership included employers, representatives of business and unions and academic experts. Following a wide consultation process, the review group submitted its report in December 2013 and it was published in January 2014.

Key recommendations from the review group included new governance arrangements, including the appointment of an enterprise-led apprenticeship council hosted by SOLAS with close co-operation from the Higher Education Authority; a review of existing apprenticeship curricula as a matter of urgency; the expansion of the apprenticeship model into a range of new enterprise sectors; recruitment to apprenticeship to continue to be the responsibility of approved employers but with greater planning and control of numbers in apprenticeship; the development of clear occupational and academic progression routes; and a branding and promotion initiative illustrating the benefits of apprenticeship as a way of learning and the career opportunities arising.

The apprenticeship implementation plan was published on 30 June 2014. The plan adopts a phased approach to implementation, recognising the need to progress current work on existing apprenticeships and to determine demand from new enterprise sectors through a call for proposals before embedding new arrangements in legislation. The plan sets out how an apprenticeship council will be appointed and details a series of actions to renew existing apprenticeships and develop new ones, including a call for proposals for apprenticeships in new areas. These actions will be delivered in three phases and are under way.

The Department is confident that we now have a good basis for renewing apprenticeship in Ireland as a strong model of learning in both further and higher education and training, thus ensuring that our apprenticeship system meets the needs of trainees and employers now and in the future.