Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans for apprentices who have been unable to complete their training due to the unavailability of work placements; the way they can continue their apprenticeships; the number of apprentices that have had their apprenticeships on hold in the past 18 months due to this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27203/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The number of apprentices notified to FÁS as redundant since 1st January 2008 is 4,933, of these 1,322 have been referred, hence leaving a balance of 3,611.

An apprentice who has been referred has not yet successfully completed all elements of their required assessments and is therefore required to re-sit their outstanding off-the-job modular assessments before they can progress in their apprenticeship.

FÁS has responded to the increase in the level of redundant apprentices, especially in the construction and related sectors, by providing the following supports for redundant apprentices. Over 4,000 places will be provided under the various measures outlined as follows.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs immediately refers redundant apprentices to FÁS for assistance.

Following this immediate referral, the FÁS Employment Services and FÁS Services to Business divisions work in collaboration to provide guidance and support in sourcing a new employer and in considering further options. Referred Apprentices are provided with guidance in relation to preparation for a re-sit of their outstanding off-the-job modular assessments.

FÁS has amended the scheduling rules for off-the-job training to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training, at phase 2, phase 4 and phase 6, in accordance with the existing scheduling criteria. The number of apprentices who have been scheduled to off-the-job training at phase 2, phase 4 and phase 6 in 2008 was 619. The number of redundant apprentices provided with off-the-job training in the year to the end of June 2009 is 1507, and it is expected that up to a further 900 will be provided with off-the-job training phases before the end-year.

FÁS introduced an Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme to provide support for employers to provide on-the-job training for up to 500 redundant apprentices during 2009. This scheme assists them in taking on redundant apprentices when they have released their own apprentices to a scheduled phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training phase in the Institutes of Technology. There are currently 197 apprentices participating on the scheme and 49 apprentices have completed their period of rotation and their performance has been assessed. Employers will be requested during the June and September 2009 rotation periods to provide redundant apprentices with on-the-job training with assessments.

Léargas has provided funding under the EU's Leonardo da Vinci programme to support the placement of 37 redundant apprentices with overseas employers to complete their phase 7 on-the-job training with assessments. Recently 19 redundant apprentices returned from Germany having completed a phase 7 placement with employers, and 12 apprentices are due to travel on the 5th August 2009 for a placement in Germany. Leargas have recently provided additional funding to support the placement of an additional 60 apprentices with overseas employers.

ESB Networks have agreed a programme with FÁS to provide on-the-job training to eligible redundant electrical apprentices at phase 5 and phase 7. This programme will provide up to 400 places over a period of eighteen months and will be funded by ESB Networks. There are currently 100 previously redundant electrical apprentices in employment with ESB Networks, 25 redundant electrical apprentices have completed their off-the-job training with assessments and a further 75 redundant electrical apprentices will be provided with an opportunity to complete their on-the-job training before the end of December 2009.

Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing specific skills training courses, which are trade related to enhance their employable skills. Redundant apprentices may also avail of the range of trade related night courses, which are available in FÁS Training Centres.

The Institutes of Technology are providing 700 places per annum on an 11-week certified training programme for those redundant apprentices who have completed their phase 4 training but where an on or off-the-job training opportunity is not currently available for them. The programme is divided into Construction and Engineering streams and provides redundant apprentices with education and training support in a number of relevant trade's areas. The programme is expected to commence in September 2009.

FÁS will be providing redundant apprentices in the autumn with an opportunity to undertake phase 7 assessments where an on-the-job assessment opportunity is not currently available.

FÁS will also be providing in the autumn a facility for redundant apprentices who have reached the minimum qualifying standard in all phases 1-7 inclusive and who have not completed the minimum duration in employment as an apprentice to make an application for consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning for the Award of an Advanced Craft Certificate .