Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Department of Education and Skills

FÁS Training Programmes

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael ColreavyMichael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the South Dublin County Council scheme that allows persons to complete apprenticeships; and his plans to replicate this in other local authorities throughout the State. [9835/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Issues relating to local authorities are a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme 2011 is funded by my Department and administered by FÁS. It is a national scheme introduced earlier this year which aims to facilitate up to 1,000 eligible redundant apprentices to complete the on-the-job training phases 3, 5 and 7 of their apprenticeships with FÁS approved employers in either the private sector or, for the first time, the public sector. FÁS has met the County and City Managers Association to draw its attention to and provide information on the Redundant Apprentice Scheme 2011.

In the public sector, the placement of redundant apprentices is co-ordinated between FÁS regional offices and the relevant local authority with support from the Office for Local Authority Management. As at 22 April 2011, 103 redundant apprentices had been placed with local authorities under this scheme. Other initiatives taken by FÁS to assist redundant apprentices to progress in their apprenticeships include Changes in Progression Rules, whereby redundant apprentices unable to complete their relevant on-the-job training phases are now permitted to progress to the next Off-the-Job training phase. Under the Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments Scheme, redundant construction trade apprentices unable to complete on-the-job Phase 7 assessments at an employer undertaken Phase 7 Equivalent Assessments at a FÁS training centre. The Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme allows redundant apprentices who have successfully completed all apprenticeship training Phases 1 to 7 but who have not completed the statutory four years in employment as an apprentice, to validate their competence by submitting a portfolio of evidence of trade related work experience gained at home and/or abroad and/or trade related training and education. Under the Fee Waiver Scheme, FÁS day and/or evening courses fees are waived for redundant apprentices.

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