Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to encourage and provide new training opportunities for apprentices, many of whom are in their final year and left without certification or a pathway to finish their trade due to the collapse and downturn in the economy, particularly in the construction sector. [14463/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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FÁS has, in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, put in place a number of measures in recent years and in 2011 to enable registered redundant apprentices to progress in their apprenticeships. The 'Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme' was introduced by FÁS in 2010 to provide work placement opportunities for redundant apprentices to complete their on-the-job training at Phase 3, 5 and 7. The scheme has been broadened in 2011 to include placements with employers in both the private and the public sectors. The scheme, for which €7.3m in funding is being provided, aims to provide work placements for up to 1,000 apprentices in 2011. As at 27 May 2011, 846 redundant apprentices are currently on the scheme and 118 redundant apprentices have completed their placement with FÁS approved employers.

Employers in the private sector and, for the first time, the public sector, may participate in the 2011 scheme provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The 2011 scheme requires no wage contribution from the employer but instead a standard training allowance of €260 at Phase 3, €350 at Phase 5 and €400 at Phase 7 is paid to the redundant apprentice by FÁS. Eligible redundant apprentices are referred by FÁS to approved employers to participate in the scheme. The maximum period of placement is 26 weeks at Phase 3 or 26 weeks at Phase 5 or 12 weeks at Phase 7.

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 may undertake 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. Under the EU 'Leonardo da Vinci Lifelong Learning Programme', 12 redundant apprentices commenced on-the-job training with employers in Germany in February 2011.

A number of new programmes for redundant apprentices and craftspersons are currently being developed or implemented by FÁS in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority and Institutes of Technology. These programmes include a post-Phase 6 Certificate in Craft Transferable Skills, a special course in Advanced Skills for Redundant Plastering Craftspersons, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship for Redundant Craftspersons and short duration courses to prepare apprentices to repeat their outstanding assessments.