Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider and act upon the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19154/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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This is a day-to-day operational matter for FÁS. However I am informed by them that the individual in question is undertaking an Apprenticeship as a Cabinet Maker. To qualify as a Cabinet Maker an apprentice is required to meet the following requirements for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft:

· Be registered as an apprentice for a period of at least 4 years

· Successfully complete Phase 1 to Phase 7 of his/her apprenticeship

· Complete the statutory period of 4 years (208 weeks) in employment since the date of registration, as an apprentice in their registered trade with a FÁS approved employer

The individual concerned is still required to complete Phase 5 (minimum 26 weeks) and Phase 7 (minimum 12 weeks) training and assessments with a FÁS approved employer in order to meet the qualifying criteria for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft. To assist redundant apprentices who have to complete Phase 5 and Phase 7 on-the-job training, a Redundant Apprentice Place Scheme is available. The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme provides a weekly training allowance to the apprentice of €280 per week for Phase 5 and €320 per week for Phase 7 for the duration of each phase, with a placement with a FÁS approved employer who will provide the required training and assessments for the specified trade. The individual concerned must complete the remaining phases of his apprenticeship in this jurisdiction and in that regard he should contact his Senior Training Adviser who will assist him on how to progress his apprenticeship.