Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements that have been made for the college sections of apprenticeship programmes due to the effect of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22383/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Off the job training for craft apprentices was suspended on the 12th March. At that time there were almost 200 classes of craft apprentices undertaking practical training and assessment in Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and TU Dublin.

Where possible, theory assessments have been completed remotely. Revision and assessment for approximately 950 apprentices who have yet to complete practical assessments is now scheduled to take place before the end of September.

Apprentices who had their off-the-job training interrupted in March are being recalled on a rolling basis to complete their period of off-the-job training and assessment. Letters have also issued to those apprentices due to commence training in TU Dublin and the IoTs at the end of September.

Apprentices who are waiting for off-the-job training to start will be called in order of length of time waiting as soon as places become available.

Due to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines class numbers have been reduced in many locations. SOLAS and the education providers are working to maximise the number of places that can be delivered safely.

In general, consortia led apprenticeships are delivered on a more flexible basis than craft apprenticeships, with off-the-job training delivered for example on a day per week basis or through blended learning. The majority of these apprenticeships continued with off-the-job training delivered remotely during lockdown, and this is likely to continue.

The Government is very committed to ensuring that apprenticeships play an enhanced role in the training and development of young people. A new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has been introduced to encourage employers to take on apprentices and a new Apprenticeship Action Plan is under development.