Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects the education system at all levels to be in a position to meet the skills demand in the workplace; the extent to which apprenticeships are likely to impact on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52314/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The education system at all levels has developed a number of strategies to meet the existing and future skills demands in the workplace, including the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019.

One of the key actions in the National Skills Strategy 2025 is a commitment to provide 50,000 modern apprenticeship and traineeship places to 2020. Craft apprenticeship registrations were 36% ahead at end August of where they were at the same point in 2016.  There are now a number of new apprenticeship programmes at various levels of the National Framework of Qualifications and involving both FET and HE institutions.

A Second call for apprenticeship proposals closed on 1stSeptember. 77 proposals were received across a wide range of occupations and the Apprenticeship Council are currently evaluating these proposals.

A target of 6,200 apprenticeship registrations in 2018, including 4,700 on existing pre-2016 apprenticeships and 1,500 on post-2016 apprenticeships has been set.