John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

184. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the new apprenticeships which are available under the new scheme; the areas which are covered by these apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29516/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware my Department established the Apprenticeship Council in early 2014 to oversee the expansion of the apprenticeship system into a range of new areas of the economy.

The Council has been working with consortia to develop their proposals into sustainable apprenticeships that can be delivered on a nationwide basis.  Last year we saw the first of these new apprenticeships with the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship commencing in September and the Industrial Engineer Apprenticeship in November. 

Earlier this month a further three new apprenticeships commenced, with the launch of apprenticeships in the occupations of Manufacturing Engineer and Manufacturing Technician in the medical device area and Processing Technologist in the polymer manufacturing area.

Subject to successful validation, ten further new programmes are scheduled to commence in 2017, in various occupations including Commis Chef, Accounting Technician, Software Developer and Network Engineer and roles in the international financial services sector.