Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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429. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will permit students to go directly into apprenticeships after their junior cycle exams where such students, though gifted in certain fields may be uninterested in pursuing further academic studies at that point; if she will leave open the option of their returning to sit the leaving certificate should they later change their minds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3380/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The existing apprenticeship system is the recognised means by which people are trained to become craftspeople in Ireland. The standard based craft apprenticeship scheme was designed as a demand driven alternance programme in conjunction with all key stakeholders. The number of craft apprentices registered with SOLAS is determined by individual employers recruiting potential apprentices within a range of occupational sectors.

Currently, apprentices must be at least 16 years of age on entry to the existing apprenticeship trades. The entry requirements are set at a minimum of 5 Grade Ds at Junior Certificate or equivalent, or successful completion of an approved pre-apprenticeship course, or at least three years' work experience approved by SOLAS. In practice at least 70% of apprentices registered with SOLAS in 2014 had attained Leaving Certificate standard. Employers often consider criteria beyond the minimum entry requirements and in many apprenticeship programmes the standard of mathematics, science and or technology content has intensified in line with labour market expectations and demands. Furthermore, the majority of employers are less inclined to recruit apprentices at a relatively young age. For example, only 1% of apprentices registered with SOLAS in 2014 were 16 years of age, 78% of apprentices were 19 years of age and over and 58% were over 20 years of age.

The recent review of apprenticeship recommended that with respect to the current apprenticeship trades, "the minimum entry levels needed to successfully complete each programme should be reviewed, while ensuring appropriate pre-apprenticeship programmes are made available for those unable to meet the entry requirements." With regard to apprenticeships in new areas, which are expected to be developed following a call for proposals in this regard by the recently established Apprenticeship Council, the Review recommended that "Entry levels may need to be raised to cater adequately for occupations with a high mathematics, science or technology content. However, care should be taken to ensure that opportunities for those with lower skills to progress are not eroded unduly. Entry levels should be set on an occupation by occupation basis." These recommendations will be borne in mind when examining entry level requirements for apprenticeships into the future.

With regard to the option of returning to the Leaving Certificate, there are already a significant amount of opportunities for adults to return to education. Over the past few years a range of programmes has been developed to facilitate adults who want to return to education, including programmes leading to the Leaving Certificate examinations.