Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to use the establishment of SOLAS as an opportunity to allow final year apprentices to complete their apprenticeships by shadowing existing tradespeople through funding supplied by the new training agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25833/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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In July the Government announced the establishment of SOLAS as a key element in the integration of the Further Education and Training sector. The SOLAS Implementation Group, which I am chairing, was set up to implement the changes.

The Group is preparing an Action Plan, including the area of organisational mission, which will be the subject of consultation with stakeholders before finalisation. Given the complex elements involved, including appropriate legislation, it is expected that the process of establishing SOLAS will largely be completed by the end of 2012.

In the meantime, FÁS continues to have responsibility for the apprenticeship system. In order to ensure that apprentices are given as many opportunities as possible to support the timely completion of their apprenticeship, FÁS has taken a number of initiatives to enable registered redundant apprentices, including final year apprentices, to progress and finish their apprenticeships: Redundant apprentices are now permitted to progress to their next Off-the-Job Phase of their apprenticeships even though they have not yet completed their previous on-the-job Phase. FÁS is providing a temporary Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme whereby FÁS approved employers in the public and private sectors will provide redundant apprentices with training and assessment on-the-job including at Phase 7 of their apprenticeships. The maximum period of placement is 12 weeks at Phase 7. FÁS will be introducing shortly a Competency Determination Scheme for the trades of Brick & Stonelaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plastering and Plumbing. This scheme is for redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phases 1 to 7 of their apprenticeships, but who do not meet the requirement of having completed the statutory 4 years (208 weeks) in employment.

Redundant apprentices who pass the competency assessment will receive an exemption from this requirement thereby enabling them to complete their apprenticeships and qualify for the award of the FETAC Advanced Certificate – Craft. Competency assessments are currently being scheduled. Redundant apprentices who have successfully completed Phase 1 to Phase 7 (or Phase 7 Equivalent assessments) of their apprenticeships excluding the trades of Brick &Stonelaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plastering and Plumbing, but who have not completed the statutory 4 years in employment as apprentices may be granted an exemption from this requirement by validating their competence under the Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme. FÁS will invite eligible redundant apprentices to submit a portfolio of evidence of trade related work experience gained at home and/or abroad and/or trade related further training and/or education undertaken during periods of redundancy. The granting of exemptions is based solely on the portfolios of evidence submitted to the Redundant Apprentice Accreditation Committee.

Redundant apprentices who are granted an exemption will be considered to have completed their Apprenticeships and thereby qualify for the award of the FETAC Advanced Certificate – Craft. Léargas has provided support to FÁS for apprentices to complete on-the-job training with assessment with employers in Germany and Finland. In the period 2009/2010, over 100 apprentices have undertaken this programme and FÁS has received approval for a further 43 redundant apprentice placement in 2011/2012.My Department along with FÁS will continue to explore ways to support and assist all apprentices progress and finish their apprenticeships.