Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure the education system at all levels is in a position to meet the skills demand in the workplace with regard to counties Sligo and Leitrim; the extent to which apprenticeships are likely to impact on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13363/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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A number of strategies have been developed by the education and training system at all levels to meet existing and future skills demands in the workplace. Last year my Department published the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 both of which contain over 100 actions designed to see the system become the best in Europe over the next decade. Some of these actions are specifically aimed at ensuring that the labour force has access to education and training provision that equips them with the skills that enterprise needs, now and in the future. 

In 2016, as part of the National Skills Strategy 2025, nine Regional Skills Fora, including one in the North West covering counties Sligo and Leitrim, were established.  The North West Regional Skills Forum has identified a number of sectors including the manufacturing and retail sectors where there are skills needs. In order to address these skills needs the Forum has, and will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders.  

SOLAS are currently developing a Further Education and Training Policy Framework to provide for employee development. The Policy Framework, due to be published in Q2 2017, is intended to support FET provision for the development of those at work across the Country. 

In relation to Apprenticeships, the Apprenticeship Council, following a call for proposals from employers and education and training providers, is currently overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas of the economy.  Recently we have seen the first of these new apprenticeships coming on stream with the launch of the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship, developed jointly by the Insurance Institute of Ireland and the Institute of Technology Sligo, in September 2016. The new Industrial Electrical Engineer Apprenticeship also got underway last year, commencing in November 2016.  13 further new apprenticeships are due to get underway later this year in various sectors including medical devices, polymer processing and financial services.