Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

32. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the changes he will introduce in the provision of training and skills to assist unemployed young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16125/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Further Education and Training (FET) sector has undergone major structural and policy change over the last number of years. The purpose of this reform is to ensure that we have a FET sector that is flexible and responsive to the needs of learners and industry alike.

Within the FET sector there is a range of flexible high quality programmes on offer to meet the needs of young unemployed people to enable them to develop skills that are genuinely valued by employers. The successful completion of these programmes can lead to awards of levels 1 to 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications which will enhance the individual's chances of gaining employment.

Provision is made available in a wide range of venues including second level Community Schools, Further Education Colleges, Youthreach and adult education centres and training centres. Guidance services are on offer within the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) that can offer valuable assistance in choosing the right programmes to assist them in planning progression to higher education and/or employment.

The Apprenticeship Council is overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas, following a call for proposals from employers and education and training providers. 25 proposals have been prioritised by the Council for development, with employers on a number of these new apprenticeships planning to recruit in 2016. Some of these apprenticeships will be suitable for young people entering the labour market for the first time and the Council is working with partners to ensure that information on these opportunities is made available as widely as possible.

The Momentum programme was created in 2012 as a new innovation in the provision of free education and training to address the needs of long term unemployed and young unemployed individuals. To-date there have been two rounds of the programme with the second due to complete in mid-2016. Under this round, funding of €20m has been made available to SOLAS, to provide up 6,000 training and education places for the long-term unemployed. In line with our commitment to Ireland's Youth Guarantee Initiative, 33% of those places are ring fenced for those under the age of 25.