Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unfinished apprenticeships; her plans for these persons who find themselves redundant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36819/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 5,763 apprentices who have been notified to FÁS by their employers as redundant. A further 1,116 apprentices are registered with FÁS and who are not currently pursuing their apprenticeship. My Department through the auspices of FÁS has responded to the increased level of redundant apprentices, especially in construction and related sectors, by putting in place a number of measures to assist redundant apprentices who wish to complete their apprenticeship.

In addition to the immediate referral to FÁS of redundant apprentices through the social welfare system and the provision of appropriate guidance by FÁS in relation to preparation for a re-sit of any outstanding off-the-job modular assessments, the rules for off-the-job training have been amended by FÁS to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training at phases 2, 4 and 6. The number of redundant apprentices who can be expected to be scheduled for off-the-job training in 2009 is 2400.

Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing specific skills training courses, which are trade-related to enhance their employable skills, and trade-related night courses available in FÁS Training Centres. FÁS will provide redundant apprentices with an opportunity to undertake phase 7 assessments where an on-the-job assessment opportunity is not currently available. FÁS will also be providing 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.

My Department has introduced a temporary Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme to facilitate and support employers to provide on-the-job training in trades such as Brick & Stone-laying, Carpentry & Joinery, Plastering, Plumbing, Cabinet Making, Painting & Decorating, Wood Machining and Electrical. This scheme assists an employer to take on a redundant apprentice when their own apprentice has been released to go on scheduled phase 4 or phase 6 off-the-job training in an Institute of Technology. It is expected that over 400 apprentices will be provided with on-the-job training with assessments during 2009.

In addition, a number of other organisations have assisted in providing measures aimed at assisting redundant workers. For example, Léargas is providing funding under the EU Leonardo Da Vinci vocational education and training programme to support the placement of almost 100 redundant apprentices with overseas employers to complete their phase 7 on-the-job training with assessments. ESB Networks has agreed a programme with FÁS to provide on-the-job training to eligible redundant electrical and motor 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 125 previously redundant apprentices in employment with ESB Networks, 25 redundant electrical apprentices have completed their off-the-job training with assessments and a further 100 redundant apprentices will be provided with an opportunity to complete their on-the-job training before the end of December 2009.

In the higher education sector the Institutes of Technology are providing an 11-week certified training programme for those redundant apprentices in the construction, electrical and engineering areas who have completed their phase 4 training but where an on- or off-the-job training opportunity is not currently available to them. This programme commenced in September 2009. FÁS will continue to work with the stakeholders in apprenticeship to explore initiatives to assist redundant apprentices to complete their apprenticeship.