Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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671. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the trade papers that apprentice pipe fabricator welders and apprentice fitters receive upon completion state plumber rather than welder, in view of the fact that this presents difficulties when trying to secure employment in the role of a welder, especially with international companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14484/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The plumbing craft award reflects the overall knowledge, skills and competencies required by industry and encompasses all elements of operation, installation, repair and commissioning demonstrated by a modern craftsperson.

While the current plumbing apprenticeship curriculum does have a significant level of welding content in Manual Arc, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Oxy-Acetylene welding (EN-ISO-6947 standard), the overall programme learning outcomes reflect broader plumbing occupational standards.

The awarding of the Advanced Certificate Craft Plumbing Level 6 by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is recognition of learning overcomes contained within the award standard descriptors. Consequently, the award title reflects the overall occupational standard and not specific skills sets contained within the programme.

A new pipefitting apprenticeship was activated by SOLAS in September 2014. SOLAS, in partnership with Louth Meath Education and Training Board, plan to commence the first off the job training phase of the programme in September 2015.

The new apprenticeship will enable future pipefitters to provide a wide range of services including welding and fabrication on pipelines in the gas and oil industry. The welding competencies in the programme include oxy-acetylene welding, manual metal arc welding, metal active gas shielded welding, tungsten active gas welding, plasma arc cutting, oxy-acetylene cutting. Future graduates of the pipefitting apprenticeship will receive the QQI Advanced Certificate Craft Pipefitting, which will reflect the overall occupational standards for pipefitting.