Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way a certificate of trade competence could be practically fast tracked and made affordable for persons who have worked in one of the construction related trades such as carpentry, painting and decorating, tiling, plastering, brick laying and so on, for many years but who have not attained any papers to demonstrate their experience and capacity for the purposes of seeking work outside the State. [15995/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that an individual with trade related work experience wishing to validate their competence can do so through the FAS Apprenticeship system as follows: 1. Register as an apprentice. To become an apprentice an individual must secure employment with a FÁS approved employer who will then register them as an apprentice with FÁS. FÁS will not register an individual unless the application is made through a FÁS approved employer. 2. Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. A registered apprentice can apply to FÁS for recognition of trade related work experience and may be granted exemptions from some of the 7 phases of their apprenticeship. They must submit a portfolio of evidence outlining their work history and experience for review by a Subject Matter Expert who will advise FÁS if exemptions should be awarded or not and by how much the 4 year period of apprenticeship should be reduced. 3 Practical/Theory test. As part of the review of the application, the apprentice may be required to undergo a practical and/or theory test to assess their competence. 4. Complete Phases 6 and 7 of the apprenticeship FÁS does not award full exemptions from the apprenticeship programme. The maximum exemption an apprentice can be awarded is from Phases 1 to 5 inclusive. All exemption applicants will be required to complete Phases 6 (10 weeks off-the-job in college) and Phase 7 (12 weeks on-the-job with employer) of their apprenticeship as a minimum.

I am informed that FÁS currently does not charge a fee to process apprenticeship phase exemption applications. For further information about apprenticeships, individuals should contact their local FÁS Services to Business Office.