John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills following the announcement of the jobs initiative, when will information be made available on training places and internships; the office from which this information can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The recent Jobs Initiative contains details of over 20,000 additional training, education and work experience places for the unemployed. The majority of the places (15,900) will be delivered through the Department of Education and Skills through the following programmes. 6,000 places on FÁS Specific Skills Training Courses (FÁS) 3,000 places on the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) 1,000 places on Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC) 5,900 places on the Springboard Initiative (HE).

FÁS Specific Skills Training - Specific Skills Training provides a wide range of training courses specific to particular industries. These courses allow job seekers or job changers the opportunity to acquire specific job related skills and formal vocational qualifications to facilitate re-entry to the workforce.

Courses available under Specific Skills Training include engineering, information technology, office and administration, sales, marketing, management, construction, electronics and clothing.

The courses lead to FETAC Major Awards at levels 4, 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications and/or industry recognised certification. These courses range in length from 4 weeks to 26 weeks and interested participants should contact their local FÁS office or visit the FÁS website www.fas.ie.

Back to Education and Post Leaving Certificate Courses: The BTEI provides a range of part-time flexible further education options, mainly at Levels 1-4 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The BTEI is free for any adult over 16 years of age with less than upper second level options, including the unemployed.

PLC courses are for school leavers and adults returning to education who wish to upskill and improve their employability in order to enter or re-enter the labour market. PLC courses are full-time and of one year's duration, mainly at Levels 5 and 6 of the NFQ.

Unemployed people can participate in BTEI courses without affecting their welfare entitlements because they are part-time. Unemployed people who wish to participate in PLC courses may be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), paid in lieu of their Social Welfare payment. The terms and conditions of the BTEA are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.

My Department has written to providers (mainly Vocational Education Committees, VECs) to invite applications for the delivery of the additional BTEI and PLC places, to be prioritised for the unemployed. These applications will be considered in the coming period and the places will be available from September of this year.

3rd level Springboard Programme: Springboard is the new higher education Fund which is being rolled out for the first time in 2011. The intention to establish a new higher education labour market Fund was announced in December 2010, with proposed funding of €5m in 2011. On the basis of recommendations from an independent expert selection panel received in April 2011, the Government decided as part of the Jobs Initiative to support the delivery of a further 2,400 part time places through Springboard which will now deliver 5,900 part-time higher education places with total funding of €7.8m in 2011. These places will be on courses in areas of current and future skills needs as identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Programmes will be available at all higher education levels from certificate to masters degree level (levels 6-9 on NQF) enabling unemployed people with differing levels of qualifications, including Leaving Certificate, PLC or degree level qualifications to participate. Full details of the Springboard programmes will be published on 25 May 2011.

Internship Programme - The Internship Programme announced in the Jobs Initiative, is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.