Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Department of Education and Skills

Education and Training Provision

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reasoning behind the cancellation of the intermediate welding course in KCETB; and if provisions will be made for students to complete the course elsewhere or at a later date. [29062/18]

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

Kilkenny Carlow ETB (KCETB) offer a range of classes in the Carlow and Kilkenny area, one such course is a basic welding course. Students on the current basic welding course in KCETB were informed that progression options would be outlined to them before the end of the basic welding course. In the past, progression to Intermediate Welding was offered, however, in the past 12 months KCETB have developed a new Career Traineeship in Engineering Operative.

This traineeship has been developed with local engineering employers in Carlow and Kilkenny, and focuses on assisting trainees to develop the wide range of skills that local employers require within a welding environment and/or other general operative engineering roles. At least 30% of the programme will be spent on work placement with a local employer.

The incoming trainees will be offered the opportunity to undertake all of the training currently on offer on the intermediate welding classes whilst also developing a range of other transversal skills that are in demand within the workplace. Those who successfully complete this programme to the requisite standards will become immediately employable. All those who register their interest will be invited to an Information Session with the Training Instructor at which they will have an opportunity to get a detailed response on the content of the course. Those unable to commit to this traineeship have been informed that part-time intermediate welding classes will be made available during 2019 (subject to demand).

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.